5 Software Development Trends to Watch in 2021
Tags: programming, typescript, googlecloud
Published: 2021-03-11 10:38:34

At  [Clever Software Group](https://cleversoftwaregroup.com/) , we pride ourselves in revolutionizing the way you do business and it looks like 2021 is going to be a very exciting year for not only us, but the software development industry as a whole. Here are a couple of trends we think you should be keeping an eye on this year.


**1.	The Cloud… Everywhere!**

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the cloud! Cloud migration is by no means a recent advancement in the software development industry. It was taking place before the Covid-19 pandemic, as businesses and different sectors evolved to keep up with the need of the digital working environment. However, Covid-19 did drastically accelerate the digital transformation of many industries that would’ve otherwise struggled to continue trading amidst the multiple national lockdowns. 

As so many of us were asked to work from home, home school and inevitability move our businesses online, 2021 is perhaps the year to put to one side any doubts or hesitations that concern the cloud. It has allowed so many aspects to continue moving and thriving during a time where everything came to a standstill. Thank you magical cloud in the sky. 

Sooner or later, the entire world will have migrated onto the cloud, with industry giants such as Amazon, Google and Microsoft leading the wave. This of course mean there will be a high demand for software developers to create these cloud bases, despite there currently being a mass shortage of developers. 2021 will see businesses of every size and shape, from a range of industries, moving onto the cloud, if they haven’t already done so. 


**2.	Accessible AI**

There has already been a monumental surge in the use of AI powered technology over the past few years. From devices that feature in our homes to a personal companion on our smartphones, AI features very heavily in our day-to-day routines. Although they currently dominate the tech market, 2021 will see a rise in the amount of voice and language driven AI devices, as technology progresses to becoming less touch based, due to the events of 2020. Because of this, 2021 will largely be a year of experimentation for AI based technologies and we are bound to see a break through of new innovations that will combat pre-existing and potential future challenges. 

AI and the cloud will also become heavily intertwined through already existing initiatives, such as the Amazon Alexa and Google Home. As so many of us spent more time at home in 2020, more orders were placed, questions asked and home appliances used that are all linked with AI integration. AI is continuing to learn from our habits, which will increased a more personalized experience with technology advancement. 

Investment in AI is also set to increase this year. AI offers the opportunity for enterprises to scale operations with an effective and economical approach, allowing many businesses and industries that have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic to restart efficiently. Most cloud providers supply pre-trained and ready to use AI, meaning smaller scale companies can access more powerful AI models and data storage at the fraction of the cost. 

AI research is still prevalent in the software development industry and will continue to reach more and more people on a daily basis. 


**3.	The Rise of Underdog Programming Languages**

2021 will see some new kids on the block when it comes to programming languages, alongside a shift in the dynamic of some old favourites. Python is predicted to continue to grow in popularity, as AI takes precedence. Typescript and Go are also set to be more vastly used, due to their easy maintenance and upkeep. Of course, all software developers have their favourite languages, but it’s interesting to see those that will make the biggest impact this year. 

Older programming languages may lose some popularity, as easier to use formats progress into the field. Software development is one of the most increasingly competitive industries across the globe, so it’s no surprise that the rise and fall of language programming companies is closely monitored. Software and technology cannot be kept separate from daily living in today’s society, so the innovation of programming languages is only set to rise further throughout 2021. 


**4.	Progressive Web Apps**

Imagine a world where you don’t need to download an app from the app store and have your phone storage consumed by a million apps you’ve only used once. Well, this is what 2021 is looking like! Progressive web applications are looking to be the next big thing in the software development sphere. Web apps will offer the same experience as native apps, by still having the ability to send push notifications and access device hardware. However, they will not need to be downloaded and stored on a device, and don’t require an open web browser to be able to function. 

Native apps still very much dominate the app market, but software developers can expect to see a massive advancement in the creating of web applications. They already appear to be much easier to maintain and develop in comparison to native apps, however they do still share some similarities, such as being able to sit on your smart device home screen.


**5.	The ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) is here to stay**

The IoT is something that software developers will be very familiar with already, however its popularity is still rapidly growing in 2021. IoT development focus will gravitate towards creating programs for connected smart devices. Instead of these devices being manufactured to include and be integrated with sensors, they will instead be designed to be assimilated with IoT software development. 

IoT sensor based software development will allow developers to scale projects and programming with little to no obstacles, whilst leveraging smart technologies to create exciting enterprise software solutions. IoT has the potential to better enable data sharing within a diverse business network, driven by software development and technology. 

Bespoke software development is ever evolving and imperative for the growth and expansion of any business, no matter what its sector or background. Services provided by software development companies, such as Clever Software Group, will be paramount over the years to come. It’s very exciting to see the direction the industry is heading in – there are so many sensational things on the horizon in the world of bespoke software development.


If you're looking for an experienced team to design and develop your next piece of software,  [get in touch](https://cleversoftwaregroup.com/contact-us) !

Phone: 01425 837290 
Email: hello@cleversoftwaregroup.com 
Website:  [Clever Software Group](https://cleversoftwaregroup.com/) 

*To view the original blog, please  [click here](https://cleversoftwaregroup.com/think-tank/2021-software-development-trends) .*