What 2015 Technology Predictions Mean for Developers



iStock_000042811780_Small

In order to be a successful application developer and programmer you have to stay up to date on the cutting edge of technology and, in some cases, ahead of innovative technologies. As 2015 comes to a close we're seeing more and more predictions come out as to what to expect as far as innovation goes. It's important that programmers make sure that they are developing applications that will accommodate for these changing technologies. In order to do that, they must increase their knowledge base to allow them to continue developing in each space. 

But what are these predictions and what do they mean for developers? Let's explore them.

The Enterprises Project predicts an increase in mobile exploits, due to the increasing adoption of cloud services. They've quoted Cliff Tamplin, former VP of Technology Support and Risk Management at Hyatt Hotels, "It think whether it's next year or next week, we are due for a major round of weaknesses and security breaches in the mobile space." What does this mean for developers? Security isn't a secondary concern, it's the primary concern in application development.

The best advice in this realm? Don't rush your release. There are many software development kits available that allow you to code quickly. Make sure that you take the time to assess the security of any application you're developing along the way to avoid security gaps.

Users are demanding mobility and businesses are struggling to ensure the security of on-premise technology - this makes the cloud extremely appealing. As SaaS and cloud continue to gain momentum, developers need to prepare for programming in the cloud. Here's a great article offering up 9 things to know before you develop in the cloud. Included in these suggestions is understanding that development in the cloud isn't the same as  "real world" development, since configurations can be different and require additional testing. Even though there is a significant learning curve when developing in a cloud environment, this article suggests that the perks far outweigh the pitfalls. No matter which side you're on, there's no denying the growing popularity of the cloud. In 2015 it will be time to embrace development in this space. 

When tablets first came out, the business world didn't have much to worry about, since there was very little viability for them in the business world. However, new technologies and applications built by developers like you have completely changed that. Now businesses are not only embracing the use of mobile devices, but also implementing BYOD policies. What does this mean for developers? It's time to get savvy on mobile development. For those developing in the web atmosphere, this means responsiveness. For those developing in other realms, this might mean learning new languages to ensure smooth development across platforms to make applications available to users on any mobile device.

The end user always seems to be the biggest headache for developers. Unlimited opinions, hundreds of bug fixes and they still never seem to be happy with the result. Businesses are starting to see that the customer and end-user are the most important thing and their productivity and happiness can make or break the success of their organization. What does this mean for you? A user-friendly, intuitive interface is becoming increasingly important. Code has to be written with forethought about how it will function in the future and allow for continuous improvement rather than technical debt.

If these predictions show you nothing else, they should show you that it's time to evolve and learn more languages that allow you to develop for all platforms. This sometimes means expanding your skillset by learning new languages to develop across these platforms. One thing is certain: 2015 means evolution for developers and programmers in every area.

Published September 22, 2014