Software Development Trends for 2024: What's on the Horizon?

A lot can happen in just a year. In 2023, we witnessed the boom of OpenAI and Machine Learning technology. In 2022, we saw Blockchain skyrocketing. 

So, what software development trends can we predict to stay relevant in 2024?

Low-code & No-code development

In the past few years, affordable low-code and no-code tools such as Webflow and Outsystems have been expanding, allowing people with different technical expertise to develop websites and even simple applications.

This trend will keep growing, as there’s a shortage of qualified software engineers to tackle all the tech challenges our society is facing. 

Low-code and no-code are not necessarily replacing software developers as they help reduce the development lifecycle and automate tasks that are burdensome for engineers. That said, these tools will become crucial for the software development process.

Development with React, Go, Kotlin, and other newer languages

Newer programming languages such as React, Go, Javascript, Swift, TypeScript, and Kotlin are becoming the go-to options for many software development teams.

These emerging languages are a great option due to their features and capabilities like type inference, null safety, and expressiveness, improving the overall development experience and making it much more enjoyable. 

In 2024, we expect to see more adoption of these programming languages for software development and more engineers in these specific fields.

Decentralized Blockchain-based applications

Also known as DApps, blockchain-based applications continue to grow due to their decentralized and secure system, and their application goes beyond just cryptocurrency.

DApps offer a secure way of recording transactions, preventing fraud while giving control back to users, as no entity can own, edit, sell, or access user data. 

Tech startups and fintech companies seek the safety and transparency of blockchain applications, as no other systems can compare. Blockchain-distributed technology has multiple layers of security to store data in a decentralized way, reducing threats and unwanted access to users' information.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technology

With the success of OpenAI and the broadening of this technology to everyone, many software companies are starting to incorporate AI features and machine learning algorithms into their products.

A few great examples are Notion and Grammarly, which have successfully incorporated AI-powered features to generate content ideas for their users.

We expect AI and Machine Learning to grow in 2024 as software development teams want to build more AI-based features that empower users and automate demanding repetitive tasks such as research, brainstorming, etc.

Offshore & Nearshore development teams

Due to the ever-increasing demand for digital products and solutions, many tech companies are using offshore and nearshore hiring to build temporary, scalable software development teams to support their projects. 

This approach has several benefits, including reduced bureaucracy, less time spent on talent research, lower costs, and greater flexibility.

However, the search for the right IT recruitment and consulting partner can be daunting. Tech employers must consider many aspects, such as technical skills, product requirements, culture fit, timezone, etc.

In 2024, offshore and nearshore development teams will continue to grow, and we’ll see more and more remote global teams building digital products that we all use and love.

To sum up

• We’ll continue to see the adoption of AI technology and machine learning in software development. 
• Programming languages in demand will be React, Go, Javascript, Swift, TypeScript, and Kotlin.
• Low-code and no-code platforms will keep growing as a way to reduce burden and automate tiresome development tasks.
• Decentralized blockchain applications will continue to grow as they offer incomparable safety and transparency to users.
• Tech companies will turn to offshore and nearshore options to support their development projects.
  

Article written in collaboration with Priscila Correia.