4 Key Trends Shaping the Future of Front-End Development

Front-end development has changed so much over the years, the reason being goes beyond technological advancements and is mainly due to the ever-growing demands of users. As a software development company, there’s only one thing you can do when you’re faced with change; embrace it. 

As a software service provider, if you’re not getting better, you’re going backward. Paying attention to what’s going on and continuously evolving your development practices is crucial in today's dynamic landscape. Since front-end development is so high in demand today, programmers have made it a key point of focus to stay ahead of the curve. 

In this article, we’ll be going over 4 key trends that we’re seeing in front-end development with various tools and frameworks that are shaping the future of web development:

An Emphasis on UX

As businesses continue to shift their operations online, the demand for user-friendly websites and applications rises. This trend has led to the development of new tools and frameworks that enhance the process of creating a great user experience such as:

1. Loop11

2. Framer X

3. Adobe XD

4. Gaby.js

5. Vue.js

6. Hotjar

There are many more but these are just a few of the trending options at the moment.

In addition to this, the emphasis is big on accessibility and inclusivity; businesses must ensure that everyone can easily access and use their digital platforms on any device from just about anywhere.

Today there are AI-driven tools meant to enhance the results of development tools and frameworks by using algorithms to predict user behaviour and identify patterns in user data. By analyzing these interactions among users, software developers can consistently make optimizations. 

A hot choice of tool for this right now is Microsoft IntelliTest which enhances the testing phase during development for .NET code. What IntelliTest will do is generate a suite of tests for .NET code, which then allows developers to identify those pesky bugs early and ultimately mitigate high test maintenance costs. With its AI-driven capabilities, IntelliTest can automatically evolve the test suite alongside the evolving code, ensuring overall comprehensive coverage in real-time.

Reactive Programming

This is one everyone’s got their eye on in 2023, mainly because of how scalable and responsive applications materialize with reactive programming. You might have thought of traditional programming like waiting in a never-ending line at the grocery store. Everything has to happen in order, step by step, and if something takes too long, everything gets held up. The draw to reactive programming then, is because it allows front-end developers to handle multiple tasks at once, it’s essentially like juggling. Things can happen independently and simultaneously without blocking each other which allows for a more dynamic user experience.

The kind of applications that benefit most from reactive programming are the ones that need to handle a high volume of concurrent tasks. Imagine you’re running a social media platform, and millions of users are actively posting 24/7. In traditional programming, the influx of user-generated content would be overwhelming. It'd be like trying to read every single book in a library one by one. The benefit of reactive programming is that it lets you handle user interactions simultaneously. 

You get the picture, reactive programming can process information in ways traditional programming simply can't match. Reactive X is a great tool for this since it’s flexible and can handle frontend, cross-platform, and backend development. When it comes to frontend development with Reactive X, you can use libraries like RxJS (for JavaScript), RxSwift (for Swift), or Rx.NET (for .NET) to create event-driven applications on the front end.

Performance Tuning

Whether it’s an application or a website, users want speed and responsiveness more than a fancy look. Optimizing performance is a multifaceted topic that must be prioritized to create a well-rounded UI/UX. Here are 3 techniques to make this happen:

1. Caching

Implement caching to store data you access frequently and you’ll avoid redundant calculations. For instance, if you have an API that retrieves data from a remote server, cache the response to avoid making the same request multiple times.

2. Asynchronous Processing 

Utilizing this will improve responsiveness by handling multiple tasks concurrently (as we’ve already mentioned with reactive programming). This prevents blocking in the main thread and keeps the UI responsive. 

3. Optimize code

Always look for areas in your code that can be optimized. For instance, if you have a loop that iterates over a large collection, think about a data structure that’s more efficient like hash maps opposed to an array. In addition to this, try to minimize unnecessary function calls.

Going Serverless

Serverless architecture is great for developers, though business owners and end-users get their share of benefits as well. For developers, going serverless means less energy is being spent on managing the infrastructure, allowing them to focus on coding and the innovation side of things. 

The cloud provider ends up taking care of the management aspect which is great for scalability and maintenance, but monitoring is still a necessity. 5 tools that are great for serverless monitoring include:

1. SolarWinds

2. Amazon CloudWatch

3. New Relic

4. Lumigo

5. Pingdom

Serverless computing is most notable for its ability to scale according to the user demands of the platform. Tools like the ones listed above give users real-time insights into metrics, logs, and events, which proactively identifies issues and ensures a smooth operation of serverless applications all-around.

The Takeaway

With everything considered, it’s clear that today’s landscape demands we emphasize constantly finding new ways to optimize front-end development. Remember, what’s relevant today may soon not be, which is why complacency so often eliminates businesses that don’t look for or accept change. 

With software development, complacency can’t be a factor for even one day while running your business. We need to embrace new frameworks, tools, and methodologies that enhance productivity and efficiency while prioritizing agility and adaptability to provide the best product possible. 

Written By Ben Brown

—

ISU Corp is an award-winning software development company, with over 17 years of experience in multiple industries, providing cost-effective custom software development, technology management, and IT outsourcing.

Our unique owners’ mindset reduces development costs and fast-tracks timelines. We help craft the specifications of your project based on your company's needs, to produce the best ROI. Find out why startups, all the way to Fortune 500 companies like General Electric, Heinz, and many others have trusted us with their projects. Contact us here.

How Does AI Consulting Work?

AI consulting services are the next step for software development companies during the next decade. Why do I say this? It’s simple; the job of a software developer is becoming less hands-on and more focused on orchestrating complex systems. Companies know that the shift demands a strategy, how that strategy is executed however is up to the business. In this article, we’ll be going over the AI consulting route, a strategy that helps software development companies continue to add value in an evolving tech landscape. 

The introduction of AI has presented an opportunity, not a threat, to companies working in custom software development. The decades of expertise leading up to this point have given us the knowledge required to push companies forward using new technologies. However, the most challenging aspect, which has been difficult for years, is finding that perfect match and getting companies and clients to embrace the change. However, this is what’s going to make AI consultancy so inextricably valuable during this time of change. 

How Years of Software Development Have Prepared Us For AI

Artificial Intelligence seemed to form a rain cloud over businesses that are now scrambling for a cover, that is, a new strategy. However, these companies working in Marketing, Retail, Finance, Healthcare, you name it, might lack the required expertise to effectively execute a digital transformation with AI. But like any change, a little guidance can make a world of difference. 

Software development before modern tools has forged a toolkit for providers that directly carries over to success with analyzing businesses and integrating AI. Here are 3 key carryovers:

Agile Development: We’ve recently talked about the benefits of agile development with AI but it’s certainly worth a reiteration. Agile methodology aligns significantly with the iterative nature of AI development, a context where models are trained, evaluated, and refined over and over. The experience gained from agile development methodologies will be great when identifying opportunities and eventually integrating AI since it facilitates efficient development and adaptation to evolving requirements.

Data Management and Processing Ability: Software development has always been about working with mass amounts of data since applications need to analyze and manage large volumes of it. This experience has provided a solid foundation for AI, where again, data plays a crucial role. Software developers have expertise in data modelling, database management, and manipulating data, which are all going to be essential for AI algorithms to learn and perform up to standard.

Algorithmic Thinking: Breaking down a complex problem into micro steps like you would when writing code is going to serve well when approaching Machine Learning algorithms. What algorithmic thinking does here is slow you down and allow you to identify the specific objectives, data requirements, and preprocessing steps necessary for the system.

So first of all, what does a company look for in an AI consultancy? Well, it isn’t just one thing, it’s going to be unique in every case, but the following questions are typically the best to have answers to before seeking help:

1. How critical is it for you to implement an AI solution?

   • What does your company stand to gain from implementing AI? Before you can expect consultants to deliver you a high-quality product, you must first understand and believe in the vision. 

2. Does your consultant know what they’re doing?

   • It might seem like an oxymoron but depending on the consultant's background, their experience levels with AI and your industry can vary. Look for the ones who have been around for a while and who have a deep understanding of AI technologies in addition to relevant industry experience.

3. How will an AI system align with your business objectives?

   • Is your staff prepared to handle a new system? Companies that have succeeded for decades know that any changes made to workflows need to align with the company's values and goals. 

It’s the small details that make a big difference when it comes to selecting an AI consultant. But just like any software project, companies have to understand the purpose of integration.

Working With Your Chosen Consultant

Okay, so you’ve found someone you’re comfortable with - you’re confident in the vision behind your AI digital transformation, you work out the details with your consultant and now it’s time to get to work… What does the process look like?

When collaborating with an experienced team, the initial step involves conducting an assessment of your current software development resources and initiatives. What this assessment will do is identify any gaps or shortcomings in your current approach. These gaps are going to be the focus of your work together as it’s where you’re going to implement the solutions. 

Next, you’re going to go over it together. By doing so, you can align on the specific challenges and areas that require attention.

During these discussions, the team will want your input and gather additional context about your priorities. This approach with an emphasis on collaboration ensures that the proposed solutions are not only appropriate but align with your strategy and vision so that they can be sustained long-term. Then, you’ll take a look at the recommendation outline which is where you’ll see the solution proposals. You can then give your input and begin to think about logistics.

Beyond this, the process becomes focused on refining and implementing the solutions. It will prioritize user training, as your team will need to understand the unique aspects and functionalities of the AI solutions that they wouldn’t be able to get answers to anywhere else. 

What is it Going to do For You?

We could list the benefits of AI and make it look pretty but the fact is even the benefits change depending on the context. What AI brings to the table for a finance company won’t be the same as what it brings to a healthcare organization. The true value of AI consultancy is its ability to customize and tailor solutions to your specific industry and business needs.

You’ll walk away with actionable insights and, if you execute them effectively, an infrastructure that will give you a competitive advantage and allow you to scale.

The Takeaway

Trying new things as a business is an ongoing process and it can be very difficult initially but remarkably rewarding down the line. This is a digital world now, and it’s moving towards automation and efficiency. This time is unique in that businesses get to try different things to find what works. The right AI consultant can work wonders for you - but in order to do so, you must be willing to embrace and adapt.

Written By Ben Brown

—

ISU Corp is an award-winning software development company, with over 17 years of experience in multiple industries, providing cost-effective custom software development, technology management, and IT outsourcing.

Our unique owners’ mindset reduces development costs and fast-tracks timelines. We help craft the specifications of your project based on your company's needs, to produce the best ROI. Find out why startups, all the way to Fortune 500 companies like General Electric, Heinz, and many others have trusted us with their projects. Contact us here.

How to Use AI-Powered Coding

Programmers are going to have some fun with this one. Picture the start of a typical day as a developer, all the priorities you need to set, preparation for any briefs you’ll get, and then the contingency planning on top of it all. Of course, nowadays with tools like Chat GPT, Visual Studio IntelliCode, and CodeSpace among other resources, the programming process has improved lightyears from what we had 10 years ago. 

With that in mind, let me ask you this (if you are a programmer); how much easier is it to approach a day on the job now compared to when you started programming? Better yet, how much easier would it have been for you to learn to code with the tools available today?

Answers to these questions will vary. A lot of software developers will argue that you need to learn the principles of programming without the “shortcuts” first and then introduce them as you get better. Others will argue that modern programming tools have made it much easier when learning to code and made the process more enjoyable. There really is no right or wrong answer to these questions because it comes down to one thing; these tools are the future. 

The Basics of AI-Powered Coding

AI advancements in the software development space will only get better and make the process more streamlined. Among the many tools programmers are leveraging in 2023, AI-powered code is a top choice to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their coding process. 

For the first example, we’re going to be looking at OpenAI’s Codex. Codex is an AI code assembler that uses machine learning to translate natural language into code. Here are 3 examples of using it: 

1. You’re creating a feature that tracks sample inventory in a LIMS system:

You could say to Codex: “Develop a functionality that can record and track the inventory of samples in the laboratory”

Codex will then: 

• Design a plan for a database that will store the following information: sample ID, sample type, quantity, and location.

• Implement CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations for managing the sample inventory.

• Develop a user interface that allows users to see and update sample inventory records as they go.

2. You’re creating a feature for insurance software that calculates premiums based on risk factors: 

You could say: “Build a component that calculates insurance premiums for different insurance policies based on factors such as age, location, and coverage type.”

Codex will then:

• Design a data model that can store policy details, consisting of customer information and risk factors.

• Develop algorithms that calculate insurance premiums based on the risk factors provided and the parameters of the given policy.

• Lastly, implement validation checks to ensure the premium calculations are appropriate.

3. Now you want a feature that automatically tracks budgeting and expenses for a FinTech platform:

You could say: “Create an interface that users can use to set budgets, track expenses, and generate reports on overall spending”

Codex will then: 

• Create the design for the interface where users can input budget categories, set spending limits, and track expenses.

• Develop algorithms that will categorize expenses based on predefined rules and transaction data automatically.

• Generate visual reports that users can use to understand their spending habits, see how well they adhered to their budget, and recognize trends in their expenses.

Codex is a great platform, but it’s not the only one. Platforms like Tabnine, Snyk, and IntelliCode all perform unique roles that help software developers perform at the next level— but the key is knowing how and when to utilize them.

What Tools to Use and When

As a software developer, your time down to the second is highly valuable, so anything that can streamline repetitive processes or reduce manual effort is a go. Software depends on context which means that the tools a developer uses will depend on the specific requirements of the project and the developer's preferences.

With that in mind, here are some ways the AI-powered coding tools we’ve mentioned can be used in different situations:

1. Project: You’re building a mobile app for a transportation company

Tabnine will be a great resource in this case to handle the following: 

• The coding process for the mobile app will be shortened thanks to Tabnine’s code completion ability.

• The system can give suggestions for implementing features such as map integration, user location tracking, and in-app notifications. 

• It will get the right APIs involved so that third-party transportation services can be integrated.

  2. Project: You need to design and build a Web App for an E-Commerce store

The Web App development process can become a lot more satisfying using IntelliCode because of the following: 

• Whether it’s HTML, JavaScript, CSS, Angular, React, Vue.js, or you name the web app development language or framework - IntelliCode can suggest relevant code completions based on the context using Deep Learning algorithms.

• Because IntelliCode is so great at detecting what is necessary to complete a code, its error-prevention ability is significant

  3. Project: Develop a Node.js-based REST API

Snyk will be great for the security aspect of your REST API. 

• It identifies any known vulnerabilities in the open-source libraries you're using with your API and then provides insights and actionable recommendations to mitigate these vulnerabilities.

• The good news is that this is not a one-and-done tool. Snyk can continue to monitor the system over time and keep identifying gaps to fill.

Why AI-Powered Code?

The advantages that come with properly utilizing AI coding tools are immeasurable. Software developers are performing at a new level in today’s world thanks to these advancements. This means that now is the time for a business to get on before you start getting dramatically outperformed. 

AI-Powered code relies on 5 key components which include; the data source, Natural Language Processing (NLP), code parsing, Machine Learning, and most importantly feedback and iteration from the software developer. The interaction aspect is what allows the AI models to refine their predictions and generate accurate, or more contextually appropriate coding suggestions. 

Written By Ben Brown

—

ISU Corp is an award-winning software development company, with over 17 years of experience in multiple industries, providing cost-effective custom software development, technology management, and IT outsourcing.

Our unique owners’ mindset reduces development costs and fast-tracks timelines. We help craft the specifications of your project based on your company's needs, to produce the best ROI. Find out why startups, all the way to Fortune 500 companies like General Electric, Heinz, and many others have trusted us with their projects. Contact us here.