The State of Developer Ecosystem 2023 survey conducted by JetBrains offers a comprehensive overview of the current trends and dynamics influencing the software industry. In this summary, industry experts from TechRepublic provide their insights and recommendations for leveraging the survey findings to navigate the ever-changing landscape of software development.
1. Python’s continued popularity: Despite the rapid evolution of programming languages, Python remains a favored choice among developers. The survey reveals its widespread adoption in various domains, including data analysis, machine learning, and web development. Python’s versatility makes it a valuable tool for scientific research, machine learning applications, and web-based projects, contributing to its enduring appeal across different industries.
2. Python’s synergy with frameworks and libraries: Python developers frequently utilize frameworks like Django and Flask for web development, as well as data science tools such as NumPy and pandas for data analysis. This cross-utilization highlights Python’s seamless integration with specialized tools, enabling developers to effectively tackle specific challenges.
3. Interest in learning new languages: The survey indicates a high level of interest among developers in learning new languages, with Python leading the list. The motivation behind learning new languages varies, with over 50% driven by personal interest and others motivated by personal projects and staying updated with the latest trends. Python’s popularity is further confirmed by the TIOBE Index, making it a useful language given the increasing demand for AI, automation, data analysis, and data visualization.
4. React’s dominance in the JavaScript ecosystem: React continues to dominate the JavaScript framework landscape with a usage share of 58%. Its popularity reflects its robustness and versatility in building sophisticated user interfaces. Vue.js also emerges as a noteworthy contender with a 32% share, known for its approachable learning curve and flexibility.
5. TypeScript’s rise: The presence of TypeScript alongside JavaScript highlights the industry’s recognition of the need for enhanced type safety and robust development workflows. JavaScript paired with TypeScript appeals to a wide range of developers, accommodating those who appreciate dynamic scripting as well as those who prefer the rigor of type systems.
6. Terraform’s decline in configuration management: It is interesting to note that the survey indicates a decrease in the use of Terraform for configuration management, with no participants reporting its usage. However, it still finds application in infrastructure provisioning for 25% of the respondents.
7. The importance of coding skills for test engineers: As organizations grow more aware of the importance of testing, particularly automated testing, test engineers are encouraged to cultivate proficiency in coding. With the majority of organizations staffing 1-3 quality assurance (QA) professionals per 10 developers, leveraging code and automation to expand test coverage has become essential.
8. JUnit surpassing Postman in testing tool preference: In the previous survey, Postman was the most popular testing tool, followed by JUnit and Jest. However, this year, JUnit has surpassed Postman in popularity, highlighting a shift in automation focus beyond APIs and user interfaces.
9. Leading cross-platform frameworks: Flutter and React-Native are the top choices for building cross-platform applications, providing immersive native-like experiences. Both frameworks appeal to web developers, given their familiarity with web applications and the rise of full-stack web development.
10. Platform-specific expertise in mobile development: While cross-platform frameworks simplify development, proficiency in both Android and iOS is still relatively uncommon among developers. Only 39% of respondents reported working on both platforms simultaneously. Due to platform-specific calls and frequent changes with new operating system versions, developers need in-depth knowledge of each platform.
In summary, staying informed and adaptable is crucial for developers and organizations in the ever-evolving software development landscape. The State of Developer Ecosystem 2023 survey and expert insights serve as valuable guideposts for understanding current trends and anticipating future trajectories.
