Programming as a discipline is based
on cold logic, math and precision. You might think something as ambiguous as
‘trends’ will not be associated with something as practical ‘programming’, but
in this particular case, you are wrong.
The world of programming like many others is evolving continuously and
there are changes happening that have the potential to shape its future.
So, what are these changes that have
the ability to shape the future of programming? Let’s take a look:
1.
Coding on Cloud
The
buzz that surrounded cloud computing is now coming good on its promise. It is
fast turning out to be the one technology that small, mid-size or large
business enterprises cannot do without. Cloud computing removes the need for
storing data on in-house systems and helps migrate this data to virtual servers
in the Cloud.
Forrester,
an analyst group expects global cloud computing market will grow from $35bn
(£22.5bn) in 2011 to around $150bn by 2020, and for
good reason. It brings a slew of benefits to the table. Programmers
have taken to the Cloud like a duck to water. Coding on Cloud is a hot new trend that is all set to become the
norm in the future.
Coding
on cloud has made it possible for programmers to work remotely. It offers more
flexibility in terms of the device, platform and technologies they choose to
work with; they don’t need a high performance device to power all the
programming tools they need. All they need to do is access the IDEs easily
available on the Cloud to start coding.
As
long as their device has an internet connection, they can code from any device.
Also, with IaaS, they don’t have to worry about investing in expensive
infrastructure as that can be accessed from the Cloud as well. Moreover,
the fact that they are working in the cloud environment means distance isn’t a
barrier to regular collaboration between different teams.
In fact, Cloud
facilitates real-time collaboration between developers working from diverse
remote locations.Programmers
have just begun to explore the benefits of cloud and there is absolutely no
doubt that its use will keep growing in the future vis-à-vis programming.
2.
Arrival of Hack
This year in March, Facebook
introduced a new language called Hack
for the HipHop Virtual Machine (HHVM).It is the hipper new version of PHP - a
widely used open source general-purpose scripting language that is especially
suited for web development.
So, why did Facebook introduce Hack?
Good question.
PHP has limitations - experienced
programmers will tell you that its rapid prototyping attribute complicates
development and maintenance of large code bases.It is to address this concern,
Facebook engineers introduced Hack.
One of the chief characteristics of
this language is gradual typing that allows programmers to write both static
and dynamic code that can inter-operate in the same file.
But that’s not all, it also makes it
easier to manage code and eliminate errors. Unlike PHP, Hack runs on Facebook’s
HHVM which uses just-in-time compilation to boost program performance.These benefits give an indication that
in time Hack will become the language of choice for developing websites.
What’ more, and this is a crucial point,
in order to encourage programmers to migrate from PHP to Hack, Facebook is
providing conversion tools.
3.
Swift from Apple
This year at the WWDC developer event,
Apple launched a new programming language
called Swift for iOS and OS X
to develop lightning-fast apps. The
purpose of Swift is to make it easy for developers to write a reduced code that
is leaner and cleaner. By introducing Swift, Apple is trying
to ensure, more and more developers can easily come up with high performance
iOS apps that pass Apple’s strict quality guidelines.
No prizes for guessing, iOS developers
are gung-ho about this language, which means its future is in very good hands. Apple claims Swift
"is the first industrial-quality systems programming language that is as
expressive and enjoyable as a scripting language." There are
tons of improvisations available in this new programming language which will
clearly reflect in all the new iOS apps that are built using Swift, and which
will be richer from the UX and technical point of view.
For Apple, Swift is yet another way of telling the programming
world at large that the company is
committed to pushing the technology envelope when it comes to app development
and at the same time wants to make the job of programmers easier.
4.
Apache Hadoop Stands Tall
There’s a lot of buzz about ‘Big Data’
lately. There is a very good chance that you
are either aware of this term or better yet, are using Big Data to make
important business and marketing decisions.
As can be imagined, it can get extremely difficult to handle and analyze
all the data that is at your disposal.
That’s where Apache
Hadoop comes into picture. It processes an avalanche of big data
easily. It is a platform which provides both distributed storage and
computational capabilities. Large Web 2.0 companies like Google and Facebook
uses Hadoop to store and process data. Hadoop
provides a framework that lets programmers write code which can process huge
amounts of unstructured data; this allows programmers to focus on data that is
related to their business needs only. There is every chance that the next big
ticket discovery in programming will happen from this particular combination of
Big Data and Hadoop.
Let’s wait and watch.
5.
Wyvern Programming Language is Coming
Programmers, at times, are required to use multiple languages
to complete a project. But this, typically, leads to coding errors which create
software vulnerabilities that can easily be attacked by criminal hackers.To get around this problem, Carnegie Mellon University is
doing some fantastic research on Wyvern programming language; a host language
that lets developers roll five programming languages into one to develop
secured mobile and web applications. It is currently in the prototype stage.
This programming language will provide a way to safely use
multiple programming languages within the same program so programmers can use
the language that is most appropriate for each function. Since, it improves
security it is highly suitable for developing
high-assurance applications. Due to the many benefits of Wyvern, there is every chance
that the future of programming rests on its shoulders. Think about it, why would any programmer not
use this language?
6.
GPUs will replace CPUs
Applications are getting more and more complex and their code is
taking up a lot of memory. The CPU just cannot satisfy the need of developers for processors
that can run applications hundreds of times faster. Enter GPU. The dedicated memory of GPUs is 5-10 X the bandwidth of CPU
memory. Post GPU, applications are undergoing a powerful transformation. GPUs
seamlessly run applications that are filled with extensive graphical routines. This
means developers aren’t scared of coming up with applications with complex
coding, which in the not too distant past would have been considered too
‘system heavy’.
Contrary to the common perception that GPUs are only for gamers,
they are today used by programmers who are working in various fields such as
physics research, chemical industry, astronomy, aviation, military and many
more.The use of GPUs is all set to get widespread in the future; this essentially
is good news for programmers. They can now explore the limits of their
capabilities.
7.
Age Old Programming Language ‘Java’ Is Not
Going Anywhere
Okay, Java is not new, but if there
ever was a programming language that has always adapted to the changing needs
and demands of its users, it is Java.
It has been around since two decades,
and since its arrival it has always been highly regarded as a language that is
the foundation of development. It is the favorite language of
programmers and its constant evolution has also kept up to speed with the
latest developments in mobile technology; today it is also used by Android
developers to create amazing mobile apps.
Android is the king when it comes to
mobile market share. In July 2013, over 50 billion apps had been downloaded from Google App Store.
Most of these apps are developed in Java using the Android Software Development
Kit. This figure proves that Java is a language that is not only used for
developing web applications, but also proving its mettle in the highly
competitive Android landscape.
As it continues to be a relatively
easy to learn language for programmers, Java was, is and will continue to rule
the programming world. So, these are the 7 changes that have the potential to shape the
future of programming. Each one of them is trying to address a structural
weakness in programming or trying to take programming to the next level. So,
let’s hope all of them help improve programming as a discipline and take it to
new heights.
source : http://java.dzone.com/articles/7-fascinating-changes-can
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