Web development is the backbone of the programming industry — programmers across the globe are always on the lookout for a new disruptive technology to upgrade their programming skills. More than 200 million websites are active on the web arena at the moment; using different computer programming languages and different front-end frameworks.
Big corporations such as Google and Microsoft are looking to build a better mousetrap every passing day, and somehow, they are succeeding. Surprisingly, with this evolution of technology, many entrepreneurs are finding a platform to bring their big brilliant idea to life. Some may use static websites to disseminate information to the masses; while others are investing massive resources in building life-changing web applications.
However, keeping an eye on the latest trends is essential for the novice as well as experienced programmers, and it doesn’t mean jumping on the hype train every time we witness new technology making up the headlines. Budding programmers, who are looking to excel in computer programming should keep in mind the consumer and business focus. Your next big web application should be valuable to businesses or directly to consumers. Otherwise, it’s just another application that will get lost in the web universe. Moreover, keeping the desires of users in consideration, web applications need to be flexible as well.
In this piece, we will focus on the technologies that can change the lives of millions with their application and usage. So, keeping a regular eye on these technologies will help you stay ahead of the game. Because the “future” is already here today, we’re just going to see its improvement. So, with all that being clearly stated, let’s try to answer the question: what changes await web application development during the next five years?
Frontend – only JavaScript?
You might find many front-end developers but few good back-end developers because of the simple reason i.e. the simplicity of front-end development. Furthermore, HTML5 (and its latest updates) will still be the common tools that developers need to acquaint themselves with. Besides, one question stays on the top of trend-watchers — will JavaScript still dominate the industry as the top language on the client-end front end?
We suppose so — typescript may even outrun the very language it’s based on thanks to its growing popularity. Every business needs an error-free and typesafe front-end code in many big projects. No one wants their site to break on some edge-case scenario that the QA team didn’t predict in the earlier stages. It also helps to cut costs on testing (but it doesn’t make testing unnecessary!).
Almost every business across the globe is transitioning from the brick-and-mortar model to online business, and even for web presence, they require a fully functioning website. So, the web developer bears the responsibility of coding to the complete layout of the website while following the company’s specifications. Having a website is quintessential for every business, regardless of the size of the business or revenue. It’s because the customers don’t go anywhere to find the information about the business — they simply Google it.
For this purpose, web developers are always on the lookout for new platforms and frameworks and upgrade their technical skills to create unique websites that will be capable of attracting the crowd. The technological landscape is evolving with artificial intelligence, computer education, the Internet of Things, and quantum computing.
Artificial Intelligence
One technology that needs no introduction and has become a buzzword these days is artificial intelligence. You might have heard Elon Musk warning everybody about the destructive effects of this technology on almost every popular technology talk show. However, big corporations have majorly relied on artificial intelligence nowadays to make profitable business decisions and have already managed to reap massive results from their applications. AI is the future trend in web development.
It has been clearly stated that a lot of progress and advancements have been made in the field of Artificial Intelligence. Leading corporate giants like Google and Microsoft have launched their AI technology for the public, you can build your custom websites with the power of AI. With the launch of the grid, a novice programmer can build a static content-based platform. There are no templates or codes – all you need to do is provide instructions, and it will lay out what you want. AI should be on your list if you’re looking for what capabilities or skills would add to make you a successful web developer.
Internet of Things (IoT)
The term “Internet of Things” has been taught in secondary school because of its universal applicability. It refers to the billions of physical devices, objects, or individuals with unique identifiers that are distributed across the wide network and are now connected to the Internet. It collects and exchanges data, without even requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction. There is no doubt that IoT is a future technology that makes our lives easy and efficient. Although web developers are not directly linked to IoT, they will soon be involved in developing web applications that are needed for analysis and data for their operations. Few companies have already started using Application Programming Interfaces, which are used by web developers to communicate with IoT. It would involve a connection between applications and physical devices that would require flexible developers.
Voice Command
This is a classic example of artificial intelligence implementation. Lately, baby boomers have been using this technology immensely as in several smartphones and web applications, voice commands are implemented. And clearly, it requires no effort to type — just use your voice and Google or Alexa will find you suitable results from the web arena.
Voice input is another technique to augment user experience. Voice search must be taken seriously in the development of the website. Web designers are now trying to figure out ways to incorporate this successfully into their websites. They must even be able to record user activity from voice searches for people involved in digital marketing. A third of internet users already think that voice searches are relevant; and, this trend will expand further. That is why web development shapes the future.
Over to you
If you’re like 67% of medium-sized businesses, and planning to upgrade your website to be faster, stronger, and more relevant, then keeping a close watch on the ongoing web development trends and trying to bring out valuable insights from them must be your number one priority.