Microsoft executives reveal six major trends in software development

S.somasegar, Microsoft's global senior vice president for software developers, published a blog post titled Key Software Development Trends (an important trend in software development) It is said that today's developers are more willing to consider and use a variety of technologies than ever before, and more choices are being programmed. Through its own development platform and tools, Microsoft will provide quality support for all programming methods and help customers develop excellent software.

In this paper, Somasegar analyzes six important trends that are emerging in the field of software development, and says these are the key investment directions of Microsoft. These six trends are:

1. Cloud Computing

His definition of cloud computing is that businesses can use just enough computing resources to scale flexibly at peak loads and eliminate the overhead of managing hardware. Cloud computing can make up for the low cost of small companies and compete with big companies. Microsoft's cloud computing platform now includes services such as Windows Server, Windows Azure, SQL Azure, and Windows Live, Office and Xbox Live. While cloud computing is just one example of a virtualized computing environment, next-generation development tools should support cloud computing and other virtualization computing.

2. Web as Platform

The browser provides the software with a rich operating environment and a convenient interface. More and more developers choose the web as a software and development platform, using web-oriented development, debugging, and profiling Tools. A variety of JavaScript libraries make this language powerful, while richer applications for Silverlight development can break the limits of HTML and take advantage of more resources and system features.

3. Parallel Computing

multi-core processors are entering low-end computers, and it is a trend for inexpensive graphics processors to do certain work. Supercomputers also run a cluster to perform compute tasks. As a result, more developers will start leveraging parallel computing resources.

4. Diversification of equipment and user interfaces

With a growing number of inexpensive Internet devices, users need to access and process data in a variety of ways, and, with it, the user interface is increasingly diverse and interactive, both natural and intuitive, including touch-based, voice-based, and camera based, among other things. Windows 7 currently provides good support for touch-screen applications, while Silverlight and WPF and MFC all begin to support camera-and multi-touch-based interactions.

5. Agile development Process

Agile development processes such as Scrum, test-driven development, and continuous integration, combined with other development practices, have become the norm in the industry. Many of Microsoft's teams have incorporated agile practices into their development processes. Visual Studio 2010 already supports agile methodologies such as unit testing and iteration planning, and will provide additional support.

6. Distributed development

Distributed development enables developers in different countries and time zones to work closely together. To do this, development tools need to support distributed code reviews, remote pair programming, development test collaboration, and resource sharing for cloud development activities.

It is noteworthy that Somasegar does not mention the hot topics of mobile application development, embedded and game development.

Introduction to S. Somasegar

Senior vice president of Microsoft's developer department, led. NET platform, Silverlight, Visual Studio, Expression Studio, IIS Web server, Media server, and Commerce Server. MSDN and TechNet are also his services. In addition, he is responsible for the Microsoft India Development Center and the Canadian Development Center.

Somasegar a master's degree in computer engineering at the State University of New York, Buffalo, and joined Microsoft in 1989, and has been involved in the development of 8 operating systems including powering and windows.