The fourth quarter of 2024 is approaching. It’s a great time to reflect on the trends in the software development field.
DevSecOps, AI automation, and sustainable software development are becoming increasingly mainstream. This has been in the air for a while. Nevertheless, it’s encouraging to see these topics come to life more broadly in the Western IT industry.
At Exclusive-IT, we take pride in having embraced DevOps for years, including DevSecOps. Our focus on security from the very start, currently a trend known as the Shift-Left principle, has also been standard practice for us for many years. For this reason, Exclusive-IT has even established Forendox as a specialized branch. Additionally, efficient code has always been a hallmark of our work, leading to more sustainable code in itself. Furthermore, where possible, we can enhance our focus on energy-efficient software.
We secretly hoped for a surprising new trend, but it seems that these topics will remain the main themes for 2024. While we cannot predict this with certainty, this blog covers these very topics this year, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotic process automation, and automation in general.
Since it appears that these topics will definitively remain trends for 2024, and because the fourth quarter in this industry traditionally does not bring surprises, it may be worthwhile to briefly revisit these subjects to clarify and reinforce our understanding of them.
DevSecOps and Shift-Left security: security from the first line of code
In the modern software world, security is thankfully becoming less of an afterthought. The 'Shift-Left' approach, which integrates security into the early stages of development, is gaining popularity. This aligns seamlessly with DevSecOps, where development and security go hand in hand to ensure both speed and safety. This approach helps identify vulnerabilities early and address them swiftly, leading to less costly and time-consuming fixes later in the process.
It is highly desirable for this mindset to continue gaining traction. We have been convinced of its importance for years and are proud that it has been our standard to incorporate security early in the process, resulting in more robust and secure applications from day one. This should, in our view, be the standard. Especially in today's world, with increasing reliance on computer systems and growing tensions, we hope this trend evolves into a new standard.
AI and automation: the new and old normal
AI and machine learning are powerful tools that have transformed software development. From automated test cases to error prediction and improved project planning—AI helps developers work faster and more efficiently. Additionally, automation through Robotic Process Automation (RPA) allows repetitive tasks to be handled, enabling developers to focus on innovation.
At Exclusive-IT, we have been integrating automation into our processes for years to help our clients with fast, high-quality solutions. AI is no longer a trend for us; it is a logical step in optimizing automation and, by extension, our services. We foresee a more human-like interaction with devices by 2025, driven by AI-accelerating hardware in both industry and consumer electronics.
Sustainable software development: efficient and energy-efficient
In today's world, sustainability is no longer an option; it is a necessity. More and more companies are striving to reduce their ecological footprint, and this applies to the software sector as well. Green software development, which focuses on energy-efficient programming practices and optimizing code for lower energy consumption, is gaining ground.
This is an area we have been involved with for a long time. At Exclusive-IT, we develop energy-efficient software that not only enhances our clients' performance but also reduces environmental impact through end-users. Whether it involves reducing server load or streamlining code to minimize energy consumption, sustainability has always been an integral part of our development process.
Conclusion: progressive or simply logical?
We welcome the recognition that DevSecOps, Shift-Left, AI automation, and sustainable software development will be regarded as 'the future of software development' in 2024. However, these topics are not new trends for us at Exclusive-IT. We have been applying these approaches for years, and the relevance of these developments only confirms that we have been on the right track all along. Our goal is to provide clients with solutions that not only meet today's demands but are also future-proof.
We continue to look ahead and anticipate the next innovations, allowing our clients to focus on what they do best, with the assurance that their software always performs at the highest level: safe, efficient, and sustainable.