Trends Shaping the Future of Web Development
The current state of web development is pretty dire. As the number of users accessing the internet continues to grow, so too does the complexity of websites. The average website today has over 40 different functions, and that’s just for a simple blog! To make matters worse, there isn’t any clear path forward. With the rise of platforms like Google Chrome and Progressive Web Apps, developers no longer have to build one single website but rather many smaller ones that work together as a cohesive whole. This article will look at five trends shaping the future of web development and how you can prepare your career accordingly. Read on to learn more about each trend and how it might impact you as a developer in the long term.
Virtual Reality is Here. Go Get a headset Already.
VR headsets have been around for a while now, but only recently have prices come down to a point where most people can afford one. If you’re in your 20s or early 30s, it’s a good time to get into VR. It’s still in its infancy, and the technology has a long way to go before it becomes truly mainstream, but it’s clear that the future is here. When we look ahead, it appears that VR will be a big part of how we browse the internet. Essentially, you’ll be able to browse the internet inside of a headset. This could mean that you no longer need a browser window to navigate the internet. Imagine being able to go right into your email inbox or YouTube playlist with zero distractions. VR is a big trend that will have a huge impact on the web in the future. You should research both the technology and the companies that are making headsets so you know where to look for work.
The Future is Alexa, Not Google or Apple
When it comes to voice assistants, Alexa is by far the most popular. Alexa is owned by Amazon, so it makes sense that it would be the most popular. However, Alexa is just one of many voice assistants that are popping up. Google and Apple are also investing a lot of time and money into voice assistants. Companies like Alexa and Siri are made to work in conjunction with a variety of other devices. These assistants are able to control just about anything, from your lights and thermostat to your TV and oven. If you plan on working in the voice assistant field, you’ll want to keep an eye on trends in the technology. For example, the iPhone has a lot of market share, but the technology is expected to move to AI-powered assistants on Android. This means that the Apple ecosystem could end up being less important for the voice assistant trend than people think. Voice assistants are the future of internet use. They allow you to navigate your devices with just your voice, and they help you find information quickly and easily.
Software Development Is the New Craft
Software development used to be about making websites look pretty. Now, it’s about building things that work. The transition from aesthetics to functionality is only just beginning, and it’s going to be a bumpy road. Even so, developers are starting to realize that there are more important things than aesthetics. Perhaps the most significant shift in the industry is the fact that software development is now considered a craft. Before, it was just a job, but now it’s something that people do for passion. This shift means that developers have a lot more pride in their work. It’s also important to remember that software development is a lot more than just making websites. Yes, you’ll probably spend the majority of your time developing web applications, but you’ll also be building tools like IoT devices and automated systems.
The Rise of Microservices Will Lead to Durability and Resilience
For years, developers were building one-off platforms that essentially did one thing. Even so, the trend toward microservices has developers building platforms that are much more robust. Each microservice is responsible for a single task, and if one fails, the others will pick up the slack. With this model, developers can build platforms that are much more resilient. They can also build platforms that are faster to develop. With a single-task model, developing a new platform might take months, and with a microservice model, it could take weeks. This is all thanks to the rise of cloud-based computing. Nowadays, it’s much easier to build scalable platforms that are resilient and handle fast growth. Microservices can also be used to build durable platforms. Using containers, developers can build platforms that are much more likely to survive disasters. These platforms are also much more resilient because they’re built with a Docker model, which means that if one component goes down, the others can keep running.
The Future of Web Development is Experiential and Collaborative
As discussed above, the future of web development is going to involve more than just building a website. Instead, you’ll be building platforms that are capable of hosting different experiences. Think of a platform like Amazon’s Alexa or Google’s Home. These platforms can be used to do a single task, like controlling your lights or thermostat, but they can also be used to do many tasks, like controlling your video games. Additionally, these platforms can also be used to host experiences. For example, you might invite your friends over for a virtual gathering. Alexa, Google Home, and other voice assistants can be used to control the experience, and you can also use them to interact with others. This could mean that you can see what your friends are doing or play games with them at the same time. In order of importance, these experiences are likely to be the most popular in the future.
Final Words
Internet use is growing exponentially, and the web is the only way to access it. The good news is that web development has never been easier, thanks to new technologies like virtual reality and voice assistants. These trends are just a few signposts pointing toward how the future of web development will change in the years ahead. As a developer, you’ll need to adapt and embrace these new trends in order to stay relevant.