Tuesday, 6 December 2005

Software Developers Shifting Focus in North America

Developers in North America are focusing on writing new code and developing applications for 64-bit architectures -- part of a dramatic and multi-faceted change in recent software development patterns, according to Evans Data Corporation. The latest EDC survey also found that Client/Server application development has surged 30 percent in the last six months and is the most developed type of software after a three year decline.

The survey found that development for 64-bit architectures increased by 61% from Fall 2004. In addition there was a 19% increase in developers spending a majority of their time writing new code.

“Taken together, these changes in the development of software indicate substantial movements in how and what gets developed,” said John Andrews, President of Evans Data. “With the growth in the 64-bit app development space and the refocus of development time on writing new code over modifying old, it is apparent that software development is undergoing a transformation.”

Other findings from the October 2005 survey of more than 400 developers in North America:

• In this report, 35% of the respondents indicate that they have suffered at least one security breach, which is a 40% reduction versus 58% a year ago.
• Java is the most commonly used development language with 48% of developers in North America using it for development. The top three most important features of a Java Development Environment are: Automated code creation, Web services support, and Profilers and optimization tools.
• Seven in ten developers in North America are developing mobile applications, 27% are developing Thin mobile apps for mobile devices followed by 22% developing Slim mobile apps (a combination of thin and rich) and 20% developing Rich mobile applications.