In this article, we'll look at what the world of software development will look like next year and what you should include in your New Year's resolutions and plans.

No matter how quickly your niche develops and changes, we've found eight trends in the software development market that will be hot and thriving in 2021. We've also highlighted the most popular development technologies and the most attractive niches for software developers. So, let's start with them.

Software development trends

Most popular development technologies

HackerRank, the world's largest gathering of programmers, has launched the largest programmer skills survey, with over 100,000 programmers from 162 countries participating in the survey, compiling opinions from an international community.

JavaScript is one of the most in-demand languages in software development. Some 53% of hiring managers consider JavaScript one of the essential languages. They also look for candidates proficient in Python (49.5%) and Java (44.1%).

An exciting trend is hiring managers looking for the right person for the right job rather than requiring a specific language. One in five managers in the Americas tends to be agnostic, although the global figure is only 14.3%.

Senior managers' landscape is more dynamic than language, with Angular JS, React and Spring holding the top three spots. However, ExpressJS and ASP have dropped in the rankings, while Django has risen. In fact, with the rise of AI (which we will address later) and the subsequent rise of Python, Django is becoming more widely used.

Another important indicator that will shape software development in the coming year is which languages developers want to learn: according to a report by HackerRank, the best languages developers want to know are Go, Python, and Kotlin, while the best frameworks are React AngularJS and Django.

A region where software development is thriving

COVID-19 has had an impact on the distribution of software development in niches. There are niche areas that have received a lot of attention due to the pandemic, including healthcare, education technology, e-commerce, fintech, and cybersecurity. These areas are experiencing increased demand and, as a result, rapid progress in software development.
As it seems that the pandemic will not end once it was over in 2020, this niche market will continue to require a lot of new software. After all, many of us used to the benefits of edTech and e-commerce that this trend could continue forever.

| Cloud technologies

Cloud technology is another niche that grew significantly during the pandemic. 59% of businesses plan to increase their cloud computing plans.

First, as many businesses are collapsing under constraints, they are looking to save as much money as possible and reduce their costs. Cloud computing offers the perfect opportunity to do just that.

Second, it's easier to work with cloud computing than a home office, where you can't discuss changes in the room or use company laptops.

So it looks like the cloud is here to stay and will continue to evolve in 2021.

| Human augmentation, AR, and mixed reality

With AR and mixed reality being actively used in distance learning, healthcare, gaming, and human augmentation to enhance human capabilities by combining medicine and technology, it is clear that these technologies will evolve, taking into account all the past year's conditions.

The global mixed reality market expects to grow at a rate of around 73.2% per annum in the coming years. As always, more investment and more new projects in the niche market will mean faster technological progress and faster implementation of innovations.

| IoT - the trend for 2021 and beyond

The Internet of Things may no longer be considered the latest buzzword but part of our reality. The rapid growth of IoT has become so natural. As a result, it will continue to flourish in 2021, and we can expect even more life-changing projects.

Given that humanity is likely to stay at home well beyond 2020, tech companies will devise new ways to make leaving home more enjoyable. Software developers will have a lot to do to make these projects a reality.

| Artificial intelligence follows the IoT.

IoT base on artificial intelligence. As such, this niche is growing as fast as the previous one.

However, it may come under even more pressure. AI is widely used in offices to prevent confusion, detect asymptomatic individuals infected with COVID-19, and automate processes that require large groups of people. AI also helps retailers understand how customers adapt to homestay policies and can predict and thus prevent other pandemics.

| The rise of native applications

Companies currently operating in highly competitive niche markets need to offer their users the best possible user experience to remain commercially viable. That's why native apps designed specifically for each platform have become a trend. They help in achieving high usability and functionality of the application.

However, there will still be a demand for iOS and Android developers in 2021.

| PWAs as a solution

Native apps are great, but they come at a high cost in terms of flawless functionality. Businesses that can't afford a native app turn to PWAs, which offer almost as good a user experience at an affordable price.

PWAs (Progressive Web Apps) are web apps that are fundamentally different from native apps on iOS and Android. However, they provide you with almost the same features as native apps in terms of speed, user experience, security, and so on.

Outsourcing software development is a trend

Now it's official: working remotely is no worse than working in an office. While companies are more knowledgeable about working remotely and managing teams, they are less reluctant to hire offshore and independent developers.

It means they can generally choose from a larger talent pool and save money by hiring from offshore companies.

| Low-code and no-code development

In a year of crisis, it is clear that companies are trying to reduce costs and cut staff wherever possible. As such, they may not have the funds for an entire development team and may relish the opportunity to develop the applications they need without programming skills.

That's why low, and no-code solutions that allow non-technical people to build websites and mobile apps are becoming increasingly popular. The market expects to grow by more than 28% annually for the next four years.

Paradoxically, the increase in no-code solutions will increase software engineers' need to develop these projects, especially as these tools become more complex.

Conclusion

IT industry trends for 2021 predict that technologies such as AR, IoT, and AI will continue to evolve. Companies will move to decode-free platforms, cloud computing, and PWAs to reduce costs. COVID winners will influence trends in native app development and distribution into niche areas of software development.

This pandemic dominates all top software development companies in India trends and offers opportunities for growth in areas of high need, such as AI and human augmentation.