10 Software Development Trends for 2023

Software development is rapidly expanding to include better, faster tools, more efficient and secure workflows, and new approaches that enable cutting-edge applications and digital services. Technology is evolving at the speed of light, or so it sometimes feels, and keeping up can be challenging. That’s why we’ve brought together ten trends that we predict will reign supreme for software development in 2023.

1. Increased adoption of microservices architecture

More companies are shifting application processes from monolithic architectures to a decoupled network of independent microservices. With microservices architecture, you can easily adapt individual apps without having to change the entire system, which allows separate teams to work on different elements of the application in parallel.

Microservices are more flexible and scalable than traditional architecture because they allow for “horizontal scaling” – i.e., each individual service can be scaled independently of the larger application. This approach also allows engineers to be more creative in quickly building new services that work together with existing services, helping companies keep up with today’s fluctuating customer demands and market conditions.

2. Cloud migration accelerates

2023 will be the year that cloud computing becomes the norm for software development. The work-from-home revolution pushed forward the need to enable dev teams to work from anywhere, speeding up the adoption of cloud development tools and cloud environments. Cloud computing for development brings flexibility, scalability, and cost savings because you only pay for the storage and compute power you need.

3. Rising use of low code and no code platforms

Low code and no code (LCNC) development services have been growing in popularity throughout 2022, and that’s likely to rise further in 2023. LCNC tools help speed up app and software development while reducing the number of errors that can creep in during traditional manual workflows.

User-friendly platforms open up software development for people without extensive coding skills, speeding time to market for new digital services, empowering non-tech employees to resolve simpler problems independently, and freeing up expert developer time for bigger challenges. It’s particularly valuable for smaller organizations with reduced dev teams.

4. DevSecOps becomes an intrinsic part of security solutions

The lightning-fast acceleration of digital transformation was accompanied by soaring cyber threats, leading to increased emphasis on security for digital services. DevSecOps is part of the solution. It shifts security concerns to an earlier stage in the app lifecycle, ensuring that security and compliance are baked into the entire process rather than being added on top of the new app as a final step.

5. Developer experience rises in importance

The last couple of years have seen the growth of awareness around the concept of developer experience, but 2023 is likely to see it take off. DX is growing in importance as competition rises for top dev talent, and software quality comes under greater scrutiny.

We’re expecting to see a surge in modes of support that enable developers to focus better on their primary tasks of writing and debugging code. This includes more roles like Chief Developer Experience Officer, improved developer tools that remove obstacles from workflows like environments as a service (see #10 below), and platforms that help developers work effectively from anywhere.

6. Blockchain-based apps proliferate

Blockchain has been maturing as a set of technologies over the past year or two, and in 2023 we can expect to see it appear in far more use cases. Blockchain-based software is the foundation for new decentralized apps (dApps), which play a critical role in the emergence of Web 3.0.

Blockchain services are more secure and transparent, delivering capabilities like smart contracts which can automate business deals and processes and improve trust between partners. Accounting, banking, healthcare, logistics, and many more industries expect to gain value from blockchain-based apps.

7. AI makes inroads into development workflows

As well as programming more apps that use forms of AI, developers are also benefiting from applying AI to their own workflows. It’s predicted that 2023 will see a rise in AI capabilities like machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), and robotic process automation (RPA) for dev workflows. AI-assisted coding and AI-powered platforms, such as GitHub’s Copilot, can suggest code for different situations, recommend specific libraries, and automatically complete code, helping reduce manual errors and save time for dev teams.

8. A surge in extended reality apps

Virtual reality has been around as a concept for years, but recently it’s made major strides. 2023 is likely to bring a surge of apps and digital services that make use of augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and extended reality (XR) programming to deliver an immersive experience for users.

As part of the rise in XR, developers will need to keep cross-platform app development in mind. AR experiences span multiple channels, so developers will need to design mobile apps that can easily integrate with wearables and embedded tech in buildings and public furniture, to ensure that AR immersions meet user expectations.

9. Modern programming languages increase in popularity

In 2023, modern programming languages like TypeScript, Swift, Dart, Rust, Go, and Kotlin will continue to gain widespread use. These languages can take advantage of modern computer hardware and enable new approaches to software development. Rust and Go stand out, thanks to their advanced features like null safety, type interference, and conciseness, and Amazon and Microsoft are among the leading corporations that have invested significantly in Rust.

10. Environments as a Service (EaaS) becomes widespread

Driven by the need to remove bottlenecks in production and support developers to work from anywhere, we predict that 2023 will be the year of environments as a service, as part of the broader trend of elevating developer experience.

An extension of infrastructure as a service (IaaS), EaaS moves the entire process of provisioning and running environments to a cloud-based layer. EaaS providers automatically configure all the settings for development, testing, staging, and production environments, delivering low-cost, scalable, on-demand environments that increase security and ensure consistency across environments.

2023 brings great advances for software development

Like everything in life, software development is likely to see significant changes every year. Between advances in cloud development, EaaS, DevSecOps, and microservices, the adoption of new programming languages, LCNC platforms, and AI-powered tools, and the rise of apps based on blockchain and XR, developers can expect an exciting and interesting year.

Did we miss anything? What are your top predictions for software development in 2023?

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