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News and Resources

Developer News This Week: The Full Roundup on WWDC ’25, A Critical Zero-Day, AI Tools & More (June 13, 2025)

Looking for a complete summary of this week in developer news? You’ve found it. The entire tech world was focused on Cupertino for Apple’s WWDC 2025, but that was far from the only story. From a critical zero-day vulnerability and major new AI platform announcements to foundational shifts in core Linux tools, it’s been a packed week.

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Here’s our comprehensive breakdown of the essential news you need to know.

The Main Event: Apple’s WWDC 2025 Overhaul

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference set the tone for the next year, revealing sweeping changes across its entire ecosystem. The key announcements for developers include the new iOS 26 and macOS 26 naming convention, a new “Liquid Glass” design system, and, most importantly, developer access to “Apple Intelligence” foundation models to build AI-powered features directly into apps.

See the key announcements here.

What is Liquid Glass? Liquid Glass is Apple’s new design material introduced across iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26. Alan Dye, Apple’s VP of Human Interface Design, called it “our broadest software design update ever.” Find out how Liquid Glass works and where you’ll find it in this comprehensive blog post.

Note from our community member CacheProgrammer who attended WWDC:

“The loudest in-person response was to an announcement I have not seen in any recap. You know how, when you call Custom Service and are on hold for what seems like forever…well, Apple announced during one of the announcements that you will be able to put the phone down and when the live support person finally comes online, the phone will tell THEM that YOU will be right with them and to please wait…and then notify you that your call has gone through, and you can pick up the phone and have a conversation with a live person. And the crowd at WWDC 25 went WILD! The loudest and longest applause of any of the other announcements. And no one who wasn’t there in person is mentioning it!”

Critical Security Alerts: June’s Patch Tuesday

It was a crucial week for system security as both Microsoft and Adobe released their monthly “Patch Tuesday” updates.

  • Microsoft Patches Actively Exploited Zero-Day: The headline security news was Microsoft’s patch for an actively exploited zero-day vulnerability (CVE-2025-33053) in WebDAV that allows for remote code execution. In total, 66 vulnerabilities were addressed, including several other critical RCE flaws.
  • Adobe Fixes Over 250 Vulnerabilities: Adobe’s update was also massive, fixing over 250 CVEs. The bulk of these were for Adobe Experience Manager, highlighting the ongoing need for diligence in patching enterprise systems.

The AI Frontier: New Tools from Databricks and AMD

While Apple focused on on-device AI, the enterprise and hardware AI spaces saw major new platforms emerge.

  • Databricks Launches Enterprise AI Tools: At its Data + AI Summit, Databricks unveiled a suite of tools for building company-specific AI systems. Key announcements included Lakebase, a managed Postgres database for AI apps, and Agent Bricks, a framework for building enterprise-grade AI agents.
  • AMD Launches Developer Cloud: In a direct move to attract AI developers, AMD launched the AMD Developer Cloud. This platform provides cloud-based access to its powerful Instinct™ MI300X GPUs, giving developers an open-ecosystem alternative for building and training AI models.

Platform & Tooling Updates for Developers

It was a busy week for updates to the tools and platforms developers use every day.

GitHub, .NET, and Visual Studio

  • .NET 10 Preview 5 Released: The latest preview of .NET 10 is now available, giving developers a first look at Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) libraries, along with runtime performance enhancements and updates for ASP.NET Core.
  • VS Code v1.101 Improves AI Chat: The ubiquitous code editor released an update focused on improving the integrated AI assistant experience, making AI-generated edits faster and streamlining the chat interface.
  • GitHub Adds New Features: GitHub rolled out Scheduled Reminders for Pull Requests to improve team workflows. For AI developers, they also launched a public preview of the Remote MCP Server, a hosted service that gives AI tools secure, live access to GitHub repository context.

Foundational Shifts: The Future of sudo in Ubuntu

In one of the most surprising pieces of developer news this week, it was reported that the upcoming Ubuntu 25.10 will replace the traditional sudo command. Its Rust-based equivalent, sudo-rs, is intended to provide a more memory-safe implementation, reducing the risk of security vulnerabilities in one of the most critical and long-standing Linux system utilities. This marks a major philosophical and technical shift for a command that has been a developer staple for decades.

From Apple’s complete platform refresh to critical security patches and the relentless march of AI tooling, this week was a powerful reminder of how quickly our landscape evolves. These updates present new opportunities, new tools to master, and new security postures to adopt.

What news will impact your work the most? Let us know in the comments below!

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News and Resources

Developer News This Week: The Full Roundup on WWDC, NPM Security, AI Agents & More (June 6, 2025)

Looking for the top developer news this week? You’ve come to the right place. While the industry holds its breath for Apple’s upcoming developer conference, major updates in AI tooling, critical security alerts, and a flood of significant platform releases made for a busy week.

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Here’s our comprehensive breakdown of the essential news you need to know.

The Apple Ecosystem: WWDC Hype and App Store Realities

The biggest story of the week is what’s happening next week. Anticipation is at a fever pitch for Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), which kicks off on Monday, June 9th. Developers are bracing for major operating system updates, including the first look at iOS 19/26 and macOS 16. The central theme is expected to be a massive push into AI, which Apple is reportedly branding “Apple Intelligence.”

One of the most concrete rumours to emerge is a significant update for watchOS 26. For the first time, Apple is expected to allow third-party developers to create and ship their own widgets for a fully customisable Control Centre. This would be a huge shift, opening up the Apple Watch UI to a new level of developer creativity and user personalisation.

Adding context to the WWDC hype, Apple released a report stating its App Store ecosystem facilitated $1.3 trillion in developer billings and sales in 2024, emphasizing the scale of the platform. On the legal front, a US court rejected Apple’s appeal to delay implementing App Store changes mandated by its case with Epic Games, meaning rules around linking to external payment options remain in effect.

A Critical Reminder on Supply Chain Security

It was a sobering week for open-source security, with two alarming incidents on the npm registry. Security researchers uncovered a coordinated attack involving at least 60 malicious packages that were designed to map the internal networks of developers who installed them.

In a separate discovery, a package was found to have been dormant for six years, containing a “time bomb” of malicious code that could wipe a user’s project files upon receiving a remote command. These events are a stark reminder of the persistent threats within public package registries and underscore the critical need for developers to scrutinize dependencies and use security auditing tools. You can read the full report here.

The Ascent of AI Agents in Developer Tools

The evolution of AI in development took another leap forward, moving beyond passive assistance towards more active, agent-based workflows.

Postman was a prime example, introducing Agent Mode to its popular API platform, designed to let AI agents take on more complex tasks like automated testing. Similarly, GitLab announced that its v18.0 release for self-hosted instances now includes built-in AI Code Assistance.

This trend extends to more specialized tools, with companies like Factory promoting AI “Droids” for full-lifecycle development and new frameworks like Embabel emerging for advanced AI agent development in Java.

Frameworks, Platforms, and Tooling: A Week of Key Releases

It was a packed week for new versions and platform updates across cloud, gaming, web, and enterprise.

Cloud & GitOps Updates

  • AWS Opens New Taipei Region: Amazon Web Services officially launched its Asia Pacific (Taipei) Region, committing over $5 billion to give developers lower-latency cloud options across Taiwan and East Asia.
  • AWS Publishes Smithy API Models: In a gift to tool-builders, AWS is now publishing its Smithy API models daily to GitHub. This allows developers to track every service-level API change and generate custom SDKs directly from the source.
  • Flux 2.6 GA Released: The GitOps tool Flux reached a major milestone with its version 2.6 General Availability. This release finalizes its support for OCI artifacts, enabling a “Gitless GitOps” model where container registries are the source of truth.

Game Dev & Enterprise

  • Unreal Engine 5.6 Now Available: Epic Games released a major update for its game engine. Unreal Engine 5.6 is focused on delivering huge performance enhancements for creating large-scale open worlds and introduces a suite of more powerful, in-engine animation and rigging tools.
  • GitHub Enterprise Server 3.17 is GA: For teams running their own infrastructure, the GA release of GitHub Enterprise Server 3.17 arrived. The June update strengthens the platform’s security posture and provides better policy controls.

IDE & Testing Tooling

  • Visual Studio 2022 v17.14.4 Released: Microsoft shipped a point release for its flagship IDE. While primarily for stability, the June 3rd update rolls up the latest fixes and improvements for the Address Sanitizer and AI-assistant features.
  • Vitest Introduces Browser Mode: The popular testing framework Vitest has introduced a new Browser Mode, providing a significant alternative to jsdom by allowing tests to be run directly in real browser environments for more accurate results.

That’s a wrap for the developer news this week! From AI agents becoming a reality to critical security warnings and a packed slate of platform updates, it’s clear that staying informed has never been more important. What news will impact your work the most? Let us know in the comments below!

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Events News and Resources

A Roundup of WWDC24. AI Takes Center Stage, But Developers Rejoice! Apple Unleashes a Dev Powerhouse.

WWDC24

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) was a whirlwind of innovation this year. Artificial intelligence stole the show, with major upgrades announced for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Apple Watch, and even Apple TV. But fear not developers – there’s a plethora of exciting updates waiting for you as well! Buckle up for exciting updates to Xcode and Swift, powerful new APIs, and a bunch of other goodies that will make you say, “wow!” 

Xcode 16 Boosts Developer Productivity

Xcode 16 brings a wave of improvements designed to make developers more efficient. Here’s a breakdown of the key highlights:

  • Swift Assist: This innovative feature acts as a coding companion, allowing developers to focus on complex problems. Swift Assist integrates seamlessly with Xcode, providing suggestions for the latest software development kits (SDKs) and Swift language features. It helps developers explore new frameworks and experiment with ideas effortlessly.
  • Privacy-Focused Code Completion: Xcode 16 boasts a new predictive code completion engine trained specifically for Swift and Apple SDKs. This engine runs locally on a developer’s device using Apple silicon and machine learning advancements in macOS Sequoia. This ensures privacy by keeping code completely confidential and offering relevant suggestions even offline.
  • Enhanced Xcode Previews: New dynamic linking architecture in Xcode previews leverages the same build artifacts for both previews and code execution. This translates to a smoother workflow with faster switching between the two.
  • Improved Testing Environments: Xcode 16 makes testing more realistic from the get-go. Developers can now localize and test app elements like privacy policies, license agreements, and subscription group displays. This allows for a more comprehensive testing experience right from the development phase.
WWDC24

Swift 6: A Leap Forward in Developer Productivity and Safety

Swift 6 celebrates a decade of empowering developers with a focus on enhanced productivity and code safety. Here’s a look at the key advancements:

  • Compile-Time Data-Race Safety: Recognizing the growing power of multicore processors, Swift 6 introduces a powerful new feature: compile-time data-race safety. This functionality helps identify potential errors at compile time where multiple parts of the code attempt to access the same memory location concurrently. By catching these issues early, developers can write more robust and maintainable code with minimal changes required later.
  • Expanding the Swift Ecosystem: Marking Swift’s 10th anniversary, WWDC24 highlights Apple’s dedication to the developer community. Swift is now used in nearly 1 million apps and plays a crucial role within Apple’s software stack. To further empower developers, Apple is:
    • Expanding Swift compatibility with more code editors through the Language Server Protocol.
    • Launching a dedicated GitHub organization for Swift. This new hub will host essential projects like the Swift compiler, Foundation libraries, and other key components, fostering collaboration within the Swift community.
WWDC24

Swift Testing: Streamlined and Powerful

Swift Testing simplifies creating clear and concise tests for your Swift projects. Here are its key strengths:

  • Expressive APIs: The framework provides intuitive APIs that make writing tests straightforward and efficient.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: This framework functions seamlessly across various platforms, allowing developers to write tests that work consistently regardless of the target environment.
  • Effortless Learning Curve: Swift Testing is designed to be easy to learn, enabling developers to quickly integrate it into their workflow.
  • Organized Testing with Tags: The framework offers a flexible tagging system, allowing developers to categorize tests and construct well-organized test plans.
  • Versatile Use Cases: Swift Testing is well-suited for testing a wide range of Swift applications, from mobile apps to server-side projects.

Game Porting Toolkit 2: Supercharge Your Game Development for Apple Devices

Game Porting Toolkit 2 empowers game developers to bring their creations to life on Apple devices with unprecedented ease. Here’s a breakdown of the exciting improvements:

  • Effortless Porting: Building upon the success of the original toolkit, Game Porting Toolkit 2 streamlines the process of bringing existing games, or those under development, to iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Developers can save valuable time and resources thanks to this enhanced toolkit.
  • Broader Windows Game Compatibility: The new toolkit boasts improved compatibility with Windows games,making it easier to adapt these titles for Apple platforms.
  • Powerful Shader Debugging Tools: Fine-tuning game visuals is now smoother than ever with the inclusion of robust new shader debugging tools.
  • Unified Game Code and Shaders: Xcode updates within the toolkit allow developers to maintain a single codebase and shader set for their games across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This simplifies development and ensures consistency across all Apple devices. 
WWDC24

visionOS 2: Unlocking the Full Potential of Spatial Computing

VisionOS 2 unleashes a wave of new possibilities for developers creating immersive spatial experiences on Apple Vision Pro. Here’s a glimpse into the exciting advancements:

  • Enhanced Developer Tools: A suite of new APIs and frameworks empowers developers to craft intricate and groundbreaking spatial experiences.
  • Volumetric API Redefined: Developers gain finer-grained control over how 3D objects appear within their apps,allowing for the creation of even the most complex spatial applications. Additionally, these apps can now seamlessly run side-by-side for a powerful multitasking environment.
  • TabletopKit for Effortless Surface-Based Apps: Building spatial apps specifically designed for flat surfaces, like tabletops used in manufacturing or board games, is now effortless with the introduction of TabletopKit.
  • Streamlined Universal App Development: RealityKit simplifies the development process for apps that function across various Apple devices. This translates to faster development times and more efficient workflows for creating Universal apps.
  • Stunning Visuals and Simplified Development: New APIs, improved tools, and a streamlined development process empower developers to craft captivating and immersive environments within their apps.
  • Enhanced SharePlay Development: Creating remarkable spatial SharePlay experiences is now more accessible than ever. Developers can even design and preview SharePlay-based apps within the Simulator, even without Apple Vision Pro hardware.
  • HealthKit Integration: VisionOS 2 introduces support for HealthKit, allowing apps to securely access and share health data with user consent.
  • Enterprise Potential Unleashed: New enterprise APIs empower businesses and developers to revolutionize workflows in various sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and more.

Additional Platform APIs Enhance User Experience

Beyond the core features, Xcode 16 introduces a range of new platform APIs that empower developers to create more engaging and user-friendly experiences:

  • Expanded Control Center Actions: The new Controls API allows users to perform more actions directly from the Control Center, such as unlocking their car or launching a preferred third-party camera app.
  • Secure and Streamlined Accessory Pairing: AccessorySetupKit simplifies the process of pairing Bluetooth accessories through an app. This approach ensures a secure connection while maintaining user privacy by not requiring access to all nearby Bluetooth devices.
  • Smart Stack Enhancements for Apple Watch: Developers can now leverage cues like time, location, sleep schedules, and more to trigger the display of their apps as suggested widgets within the Apple Watch’s Smart Stack.Additionally, apps supporting Live Activities will automatically appear on the Apple Watch.
  • watchOS Double Tap API: A brand new API allows developers to assign the double-tap gesture to specific functionalities within their Apple Watch apps, further streamlining user interaction.

TestFlight: Enhanced Beta Testing for Superior Apps

TestFlight empowers developers to gather valuable feedback from testers during the app development and launch process.This feedback is crucial for refining the app before it reaches the public. Here’s a breakdown of the exciting improvements in TestFlight:

  • Targeted Invitations: Enhanced invitation and enrollment processes allow developers to target testers by device and operating system. This ensures they receive more relevant feedback that directly addresses specific user experiences.
  • Informative App Listings: TestFlight invitations now include a detailed app description, category, and optional screenshots. This provides potential testers with a clearer understanding of the app’s features and content, leading to a more informed decision to participate.
  • Improved Analytics: New metrics provide developers with valuable insights into engagement with public links.They can also track invitation acceptance or decline rates to gauge tester interest and optimize their outreach strategies.

App Store: New Discoverability and Monetization Features

The App Store continues to evolve as a platform for developers to reach a global audience and grow their businesses.Here’s a look at the exciting new features designed to enhance app discovery and monetization:

  • App Store Featuring Nominations: Developers can now proactively submit their apps for consideration to be featured on the App Store. Through App Store Connect, developers can nominate upcoming content updates and enhancements, including details like release date and relevant regions. The App Store’s editorial team will then review these submissions to connect exceptional apps with users who would enjoy them.
  • Custom Product Pages with Deep Links: The App Store offers even more flexibility with custom product pages that allow developers to showcase specific app features and content. Additionally, custom product page deep links enable developers to direct users from a particular product page to a relevant section within their app. This fosters a more seamless user experience, especially when used in conjunction with Search Ads campaigns.
  • Win-Back Offers for Subscriptions: Subscription-based apps can now leverage win-back offers to incentivize former subscribers to return. These special offers can be displayed across the App Store and even within the app itself, making it easier for past users to rediscover the value proposition.
  • Subscription Offers for macOS Apps: For macOS apps, developers can design special promotions using offer codes. These offers can provide discounted or even free subscriptions for a limited time, helping to attract new users, retain existing ones, and entice former subscribers to come back.

App Store Connect Gets a Makeover

The App Store Connect app for iOS and iPadOS receives a welcome refresh with a brand new user interface. But that’s not all! Here’s a key addition that streamlines app promotion:

  • Effortless Social Media Marketing Assets: Developers can now generate marketing materials directly within App Store Connect. This functionality simplifies promoting their apps’ special moments, such as new app launches or exciting updates. They can then seamlessly share these assets across their social media channels to generate buzz.
  • Commemorative App of the Day Assets: If an app is fortunate enough to be selected as App of the Day,developers will receive a special notification within App Store Connect. This notification prompts them to create a commemorative marketing asset to celebrate the achievement.

Conclusion:

This is just a glimpse of the exciting new tools waiting to be explored. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting your coding journey, WWDC24 has something for everyone. Get ready to unleash your creativity and push the boundaries of what’s possible on Apple devices. The future of app development is intelligent, immersive, and brimming with potential. Dive in and be a part of it!

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Business News and Resources

Revolutionizing Industry: From Sci-Fi Dreams to 1-Click Reality

Imagine this: Over the past year, a staggering 73% of businesses worldwide have eagerly embraced cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), propelling industries into an era of unprecedented transformation. It’s not just a futuristic dream; it’s our present reality.

Today, we’ll embark on a journey through the digital landscape, exploring the remarkable impact of six game-changing technologies: AI, IoT, Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Big Data, and Automation. These aren’t just buzzwords but the architects of innovation in sectors from healthcare to manufacturing.

Jaw-dropping, isn’t it?AI is expected to create $15.7 trillion in economic value by 2030.

But that’s not all. The kandi 1-Click Kits aims to streamline the integration of transformative technologies into your applications and projects, making them accessible to everyone. 1-Click Kits combines AI, IoT, VR, AR, Big Data, and Automation into a user-friendly platform, enabling you to harness these technologies and revolutionize their operations.

Let’s delve into this thrilling world of technology, where numbers tell stories, and innovation knows no bounds. Welcome to the future, happening right now.

AI – The Brain Behind the Machines

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the powerhouse behind modern industry transformation. In the past year, AI has been adopted by 68% of businesses, boosting productivity and efficiency. It’s come a long way from basic algorithms to intricate neural networks, mimicking human thought processes.

Did You Know? Currently, there are over 1.2 billion AI-powered devices and systems active worldwide, constantly learning and improving. This technology isn’t confined to one sector; it’s transforming healthcare, finance, manufacturing, transportation, and more.

For example, AI is being used to:

  • Develop self-driving cars: AI-powered cars can sense their surroundings and make decisions about how to navigate without human input.
  • Diagnose diseases: AI can be used to analyze medical images and data to identify diseases. Open Weaver’s AI-Powered Breast Cancer Detection Engine is one ravishing example of AI in action.
  • Supply chain optimization: AI can be used to track inventory levels, forecast demand, and optimize transportation routes.

Imagine real-time insights. AI optimizes operations, minimizing errors and reducing costs. For instance, AI-driven predictive maintenance saves industries $100 billion annually by preventing breakdowns.

IoT – A Symphony of Smart Devices

Picture a world where devices orchestrate industrial operations seamlessly. This is the magic of the Internet of Things (IoT). In the last year, IoT has seen a whopping 76% increase in global adoption across industries.

From sensors to a vast network of interconnected devices, IoT has transformed how businesses operate.

Take logistics, for example – IoT-driven predictive maintenance has reduced downtime by 50%, saving billions. Parallelly, it is expected to create $11.1 trillion in economic value by 2025.

In real time, IoT devices are being used to:

  • Monitor machinery in factories: IoT devices can collect data on the performance of machinery, which can be used to identify potential problems and prevent breakdowns.
  • Track the location of assets: IoT devices can be used to track the location of assets, such as vehicles or equipment, which can help to improve efficiency and security.
  • Manage energy consumption: IoT devices monitor energy consumption and identify areas with the scope of reduction.

Imagine a real-time map lighting up with IoT devices worldwide – there are now over 30 billion connected devices globally, and they’re not just in homes. Industries leverage IoT to track inventory, monitor environmental conditions, and enhance security.

VR and AR – Redefining Reality in Industry

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are technologies that create immersive experiences. VR immerses users in a virtual world, while AR overlays digital information into the real world. These technologies are being used in a variety of industries, including training, education, and marketing. 

In the past year, VR and AR applications have surged by 60%, transforming how we work and learn.

For example, VR is being used to: 

  • Train surgeons: VR can be used to create realistic simulations of surgical procedures, which can help surgeons improve their skills.
  • Provide instructions for assembling products: AR can be used to overlay instructions onto a physical object, which can help users assemble the object correctly.
  • Create interactive product demonstrations: AR can be used to create interactive product demonstrations that allow users to explore products in a virtual environment.

Now, picture a real-time feed of the latest VR and AR applications being developed – there are over 3,000 new applications in the pipeline. From healthcare simulations to architectural design, VR and AR are enhancing precision and efficiency. 

Big Data – The Information Goldmine

Big data refers to the vast amount of data that is being generated every day. This data can be used to identify trends, make predictions, and improve decision-making. Over the past year, Big Data analytics has driven a 50% increase in revenue growth across various sectors.

Big Data’s journey began with spreadsheets and has evolved into predictive analytics, where real-time data crunching provides instant insights. Industries use it to make informed decisions and boost efficiency.

For example, big data is being used to:

  • Analyze customer behaviour: Big data can be used to track customer behaviour, such as what products they purchase and how often they visit a website. This information can be used to improve marketing campaigns and target customers more effectively.
  • Forecast demand: Big data can be used to forecast demand for products or services. This information can be used to ensure that businesses have enough inventory to meet demand and avoid stockouts.
  • Improve decision-making: Big data improves decision-making by providing businesses with insights into their operations. For example, big data can be used to identify which products are selling well and which products are not. Open Weaver’s 1-Click kit – House price prediction uses data visualization and machine learning libraries to generate precise results. 
Whopping!! It is estimated that the world will generate 175 zettabytes of data by 2025.

The amount of big data is growing exponentially. This growth is creating new challenges and opportunities for businesses. Businesses need to find ways to store and manage this data, and they need to find ways to use it to their advantage.

Automation – The Rise of the Machines

Automation refers to the use of machines to perform tasks that were previously done by humans. It is being used to improve efficiency and productivity in a variety of industries. Adoption of automation has skyrocketed by 62% in the last year, as industries increasingly embrace this transformative technology.

Did you know? Automation is projected to save $2 trillion in labour costs globally by 2025. These machines are not replacing jobs; they’re enhancing them.

For example, automation is being used to:

  • Operate machinery in factories: Automated machinery can operate more quickly and accurately than humans, which can lead to increased productivity.
  • Sort packages in warehouses: Automated sorting systems can sort packages more quickly and efficiently than humans, which can help to reduce costs.
  • Provide customer service: Automated chatbots can answer customer questions 24/7, which can free up human agents to focus on more complex tasks.

Automation is a powerful technology that has the potential to revolutionize many industries. However, businesses need to be prepared for this by upskilling their workforce and investing in new technologies.

THE CLOSING WORDS

In this journey through the technological landscape, we’ve witnessed a profound transformation in industries. Over the past year, technologies like AI, IoT, VR, AR, Big Data, and Automation have surged, with adoption rates skyrocketing by an average of 60%. These innovations are not just buzzwords; they’re rewriting the rules of business.

But the transformation doesn’t end there. The Open Weaver’s 1-Click Kits are leading the charge, simplifying the integration of these technologies in your dynamic application. With a remarkable 70%-90% reduction in development time, it’s clear that industries are eager to embrace this revolution.

As we wrap up, consider this: Industries are on the brink of unparalleled advancement, and the journey has just begun. Explore the possibilities and join the revolution today.

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News and Resources

Happy Code, Swift Code: The 10% Developer Advantage

Does happiness lead to productivity? It might sound intuitive already, but we are obsessed with data. So, we looked into it. And by “we” I mean SlashData and Sentry joined forces to analyse the feedback taken from survey respondents who are professional developers who write software on a regular basis.

To make our filtering even more accurate, it mainly involved experienced developers with at least 10 years of software development experience, as they were required to have a live application. This intentional filtering ensures that the average developer surveyed possesses extensive knowledge and can provide valuable insights into the software development process.

Are happier developers more productive?

Firstly we wanted to identify what makes developers happy and we found:

1. Company size and colleague count don’t significantly impact happiness levels.

2. Whether you’re an experienced coder or new to the field, everyone’s happiness is similar.

3. Delving into infrastructure tasks brings more joy! Devs spending 10 extra hours a week on these issues experience a 3% happiness boost.

4. Managers or those with ‘chief’ titles tend to be 6% happier than their peers.

These insights shed light on what contributes to developer satisfaction in the workplace. Understanding these factors can help foster a more positive and productive environment for all developers.

We conducted an in-depth analysis to uncover valuable developer efficiency insights:

We developed a unique productivity metric by combining three crucial measurements, focusing on how quickly developers complete programming tasks and deploy code to production.

Here’s what our productivity metric considers:

  1. Time from code committed to code in production.
  2. Time taken to recover from an unexpected outage.
  3. Frequency of code deployment to production.

Interestingly, we observed that developers in larger companies tend to take slightly more time to complete tasks compared to their counterparts in smaller organizations. This information provides valuable insights into the dynamics of developer productivity across various company sizes.

What hinders and boosts productivity?

When it comes to barriers, larger companies might experience a slight dip in productivity, with every 500 additional employees contributing to a 1% drop. 

Internal processes and bureaucracy can be culprits, but fear not – we’ll share tips to optimize workflow! Communication is another key player; if it’s smooth sailing, devs thrive, but if not, productivity could plummet by a whopping 48%. However, only 10% of developers face this issue. 

By combining frequency and time metrics, we unveil a cool productivity score measured in hours, allowing us to understand the overall productivity landscape. 

The best part? Happy developers are productive developers! Being 10% happier means completing tasks 10% faster, and each year of experience in software development boosts productivity by 6%. 

Let’s take a closer look at developers’ workloads and what they wish for versus reality! 

The biggest difference lies in dealing with internal messaging, processes, and infrastructure issues. Developers express the desire to allocate 19% and 17% less of their time to these time-consuming tasks. It’s clear that efficient communication and workflow tools are essential for smooth business operations. 

We analyzed their productivity and found that developers spend the most time on software development, followed by project management. 

They spend about 31% and 16% of their week on these tasks.

 Interestingly, developers want to keep doing these tasks as they’re crucial components of their ideal week too. Oh, and here’s a nugget;

the more time they spend coding, the happier they are!

Software development

Let’s dive into how developers spend their time on software development!

Writing code is the most time-consuming activity for 29% of developers, with a whopping 69% spending a lot of their overall time on it. 

The conceptual design phase also takes up significant time, but it’s an enjoyable activity for 60% of developers. However, debugging or fixing code is another time-consuming task, with 67% of devs dedicating a lot of time to it. But here’s the catch – only 51% actually enjoy it. Debugging can be a real workflow challenge and hurt productivity.

What do they feel about their tasks?

Fixing bugs and improving software performance bring joy to 65% of developers. 

They take particular pride in improving software/app performance (21%) and debugging code (12%). 

Writing good code is a big source of pride for 27% of developers, and a total of 69% find pride in this task.

What about the challenges?

The top two challenges are cleaning up legacy code (33% of developers) and running into untested code (32%).

Interestingly, cleaning up legacy code was more common in larger teams, where devs work with a 12% bigger team. But don’t worry, larger teams have more resources for testing, so running into untested code isn’t as big of a challenge for them.

Now, onto the root causes of issues. A whopping 37% of devs say a rushed timeline is the biggest problem they face. Among programmers and software developers, 45% identify rushed timelines as a key challenge, 14 percentage points more than CEOs and managers (31%).

Let’s explore the challenges faced by developers in different roles.

We’ll break it down by the prominent positions, such as management/chiefs, programmers/software developers, architects, and IT workers.

Surprisingly, shifting and unclear priorities are among the top three obstacles across all roles, but they’re especially prominent for programmers/software developers and managers/chiefs. Another common challenge for everyone, but particularly for architects, is too many meetings.

Interestingly, many of the top challenges reported in all roles are process-related. This emphasizes the importance for companies to implement good policies and procedures to optimize workflow and boost developer productivity.

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News and Resources

On the role of female coders in software development

Since the beginning of computing, women have consistently played a pivotal role in software development that has frequently been overlooked; from Ada Lovelace developing the first algorithms for modern computers to Margaret Hamilton’s crucial role in the development of on-board guidance software for NASA’s Apollo program.

However, despite women’s exceptional contributions to the field, they have often received less credit than their male counterparts, and their place in the field is questioned.

Today, efforts are being made across the software development ecosystem to address these historical biases. While efforts have been made to promote women to get involved in the historically male-dominated field, there is still considerable work to be done. 

Data and technology are not free from bias. Past applications and software development projects have demonstrated the need for input from diverse groups2.

In this chapter, we specifically explore the involvement of women in software development. According to our latest global developer survey (Q1 2023), nearly a quarter of all developers (22%) self-identify as females, the highest proportion since we began asking respondents about their gender.

This is a small increase from two years ago, since Q1 2021, when female coders accounted for 19% of all developers. 

This slight increase in the proportion of developers self-identifying as females can be partially attributed to the rise in the representation of women among early-to-mid-career developers. Women currently make up a quarter (25%) of developers between the ages of 25 and 34, the highest proportion of all age groups, up from less than 20% in Q1 2021.

This is followed closely by 23% of developers between the ages of 18 and 24. The highest proportion of women falling within the 25-34 age bracket indicates the possible beginning of a positive trend for the future of women in the tech industry. This is the age when people begin to settle into their careers and is a point where people are likely to develop additional skills that allow them to cross-train and enter industries of their choosing.

Further to this, we are also seeing an increasing presence of women in certain regions that are leading to an increase in the proportion of women in technology overall.

Specific highlights include the Middle East and Africa, where the proportion of women in technology in this region has gone from 10% in Q1 2021 to over 20% currently. Similarly, women made up 15% of developers in East Asia in Q1 2021 and now makeup almost 30% of developers. 

Overall, a higher representation of women in the software development ecosystem is a great development. Not only do they bring critical perspectives and approaches to the work being undertaken, but diversity in the workforce offers fresh experiences that can help businesses address underserved needs.

It also enhances efforts to make spaces that are less hostile to women in both overt and subtle ways, allowing even more women to follow their interests in the technology space.

The proportion of women among developers varies substantially depending on the types of projects they are involved in. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) projects have the highest proportion of women, at 33% and 28% respectively, followed by games (28%). 

On the contrary, backend services and web application projects have the lowest concentration of female coders, at just 13% and 16%, respectively.

With these sectors selecting those with formal degrees at higher rates than other areas, and a 10 percentage point difference between men and women having such a degree, this may be one factor in the lower presence of women.

Undergraduate degrees in computer science or equivalent are held by 45% of backend developers and 43% of web developers, compared to 37% of all developers.

Further, the lower proportion of women working in backend services and web application development may, in part, be attributed to the historically male-dominated culture within these sectors. Addressing cultural differences3 and fostering a more inclusive atmosphere can contribute to balancing representation and mentorship opportunities within these sectors.

Further, there may be potential unconscious biases in hiring practices derived from existing workplace culture, which may prevent certain development areas from harnessing the full spectrum of talent, and benefit from the input of individuals with diverse backgrounds.

Examining the sizes of organisations that female developers work for throughout various stages of their life and career could indicate that company characteristics have an influence on women’s decisions in the technology sector.

Like young men, young women are more likely to work as freelancers relative to other age groups and only return to similar proportions among developers aged 55 and above. Additionally, younger female developers (18-24) tend to work for smaller companies, whereas older female developers (45+) are more inclined to work for larger organisations with over 10,000 employees.

Examining a particular age group, women between the age of 35 and 44, may offer an insight into issues women have with progressing through their careers. Previous research into women’s careers in the software development sector has highlighted that women are promoted at a lower rate than men4.

However, when looking at the roles women self-identify with, we find that at mid-market companies (251-1,000 employees) and enterprises (1,001-10,000 employees) the percentage of women in management positions (20% and 29%) is significantly higher than at other organisation sizes (13% on average).

These organisations could offer better opportunities for career growth, decision-making, and leadership. In larger companies, management roles might be more hierarchical and bureaucratic, leading to less autonomy and slower career progression.

In smaller companies, limited opportunities due to their size might result in fewer leadership positions being available overall, and with women being a minority in software development, there are fewer women in leadership positions.

Further, there is an underrepresentation of women in certain leadership roles. 11% of men list their role as CIO, CTO, or IT manager, and 14% identify as technical team leads, compared to just 9% and 8% of women. This could create a cycle whereby there may be fewer mentorship opportunities for other women.

When there are fewer female leaders, it has been found in a range of fields5 that it can be harder for women to progress in their careers, and it can be more challenging for aspiring women to find mentors who can guide them, provide valuable insights, and help them navigate their career paths. 

However, while still a minority of those in such roles, 25% of those in CEO or management positions are women, compared to their position as 22% of the developer population.

While only a small percentage difference, given their underrepresentation in other leadership roles, this represents an area where women are getting leadership positions. Among the previously discussed issues women may face, women are also less likely to apply for leadership positions where they do not fulfil all of the requirements than men6.

This may be leading women to also self-select towards management positions that are not solely dependent on technical skills. 

The observation that women hold a higher proportion of CEO/management roles compared to men (7% against 5%, respectively), particularly in companies with more than 250 employees (8% of women to 4% of men), could indicate a positive shift in gender representation and diversity in leadership positions.

This trend might be driven by a changing corporate culture that is increasingly recognising the importance of gender diversity in leadership, leading companies to seek out and promote women into these roles6 proactively.

Embracing diverse perspectives at the decision-making level can result in better organisational performance and decision-making.

Another factor that may contribute to this observation is the growing appreciation for women’s leadership styles, which tend to be more collaborative, participative, and relationship-oriented. These qualities are often valued in today’s business environment and might make women particularly well-suited for CEO/management roles.

Moreover, women, through their skills and abilities, are likely actively contributing to this positive trend, demonstrating that they are well-equipped for leadership roles. Despite women remaining a minority in leadership this growing representation in CEO/management roles is a step in the right direction, highlighting the benefits of diverse and inclusive leadership.

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News and Resources

AI-Powered Predictive Analytics: A New Era in Project Estimation and Planning for Software Development

Software development projects are like puzzles with countless pieces that must come together seamlessly. But one of the biggest challenges in this process is estimating and planning the project accurately. It’s a bit like trying to predict the future-a daunting task. However, with the introduction of AI-powered predictive analytics and the emergence of AI-based project management tools, a new era of software development project estimation and planning has begun.

Understand the terms

Project estimation and planning

Project estimation and planning in software development involves predicting the project’s duration, effort, and resource requirements. Project managers and teams break down the project into smaller tasks, estimate the time and effort for each task, and create a timeline. They consider factors like team size, skills, and available resources. The goal is to set realistic expectations and use resources wisely. Good estimation and planning prevent surprises, delays, and extra costs. It’s about understanding what needs to be done, how long it will take, and what resources are necessary for success.

Most of the time, the estimation process would cost the company significant money and time at the start of developing a brand-new website, app, or software.

AI-powered predictive analytics

AI algorithms can predict future events or behaviours by analyzing large amounts of data and identifying patterns. AI-powered predictive analytics in software development can estimate project timelines, identify risks, and optimize resource allocation. It enables us to make data-driven decisions and adjust plans as necessary. It’s all about using AI to predict and plan for the future based on insights from past data.

Project Estimation and Planning Before AI

Before the introduction of AI-powered predictive analytics, project estimation and planning in software development relied heavily on human expertise and historical data. Project managers and teams would analyze previous projects with similar characteristics and use their experience to estimate the effort, time, and resources required for the new project. The following are some notable challenges of traditional project estimation and planning.

Limited data insights

The amount of historical data available for analysis limited traditional methods. Estimates were frequently based on a few previous projects, which may not accurately represent the complexities of new projects.

Biases and assumptions

Estimates may be influenced by human biases and assumptions, resulting in overestimation or underestimation of effort and timelines. These biases may result from previous experiences or personal perspectives, affecting the accuracy of estimations.

Identifying risks

Another challenge was anticipating potential risks and challenges early in the planning process. Due to the lack of comprehensive data analysis capabilities, project managers relied on their intuition and experience, which may have covered only some potential risks.

Adaptability and optimization

Traditional methods lacked the flexibility to adjust estimates and plans as the project progressed. Real-time data integration was limited, preventing optimal decision-making and resource allocation based on changing project needs.

Enter: AI-Powered Predictive Analytics

The implementation of AI-powered predictive analytics has changed the process radically. By leveraging machine learning and data analysis, AI can analyze vast amounts of historical project data to identify patterns, trends, and correlations that humans might miss. Here are some of the ways AI transforms project estimation and planning:

Uncovering hidden insights

AI algorithms examine massive amounts of historical project data, detecting patterns, trends, and correlations humans may overlook. AI uncovers hidden insights that enable more accurate predictions by analyzing project variables such as scope, complexity, team size, and resource allocation.

Data-driven decision-making

Project managers and stakeholders can make data-driven decisions from the start with AI-powered predictive analytics. They gain insight into potential bottlenecks, allowing them to allocate resources better. AI provides realistic timelines, enabling stakeholders to set appropriate expectations and avoid overpromising or underdelivering.

Effective risk management

AI identifies potential risks early on by analyzing historical project data. It identifies factors that have historically resulted in delays or cost overruns. With this information, project managers can proactively mitigate risks and develop contingency plans, resulting in more efficient project execution.

Continuous improvement

AI algorithms learn from real-time project data, adapting and refining their predictions. AI provides valuable insights as projects progress, allowing teams to course-correct, make data-driven decisions, and optimize resource allocation. Over time, this iterative learning process improves estimation accuracy.

Human-AI collaboration

It is critical to understand that AI-powered predictive analytics does not replace human expertise but supplements it. Project managers and stakeholders contribute valuable experience and domain knowledge. AI provides them with new insights, enhancing their decision-making abilities.

Final thoughts

AI-powered predictive analytics has transformed software development project estimation and planning. It enables project managers and teams to make more accurate predictions, optimize resource allocation, and manage risks more proactively. We can uncover hidden insights, make data-driven decisions, and adapt plans in real time by leveraging AI’s data analysis capabilities. 

This new era of project estimation and planning combines the best of human expertise with the power of artificial intelligence, resulting in more successful and efficient software development projects. We can expect even greater accuracy and efficiency in the future as AI technology advances, paving the way for continued innovation and growth in the software development industry.

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News and Resources

AI Spotlight: 63% of Developers Engage with AI-Assisted Development

You’re familiar with at least one AI-assisted development tool; That’s right, the ChatGPT. Its popularity has skyrocketed in the last few months and with good reason.

It is designed to assist users in generating human-like text but it’s been helpful to developers too, as they can leverage ChatGPT to automate certain tasks, generate code snippets, assist in writing documentation, or even prototype conversational interfaces. While ChatGPT is primarily a language model, it can be used in the development process to aid in various aspects of software development.

In SlashData’s  24th edition of State of Developer Nation, we asked developers if they use AI and how. This led to a dedicated chapter on all the new technologies that captivate developers’ imaginations.

The data from the survey suggest that 63% of developers engaged in some aspect of AI-assisted development, making it evident that this technology is rapidly maturing and transforming from a mere trend to a valuable tool.

AI-Assisted Development: A Growing Trend

While overall engagement has experienced a slight decline of 4% over the past year, the nature of developer involvement has undergone a fascinating shift.

More developers are actively working on or learning about AI-assisted development, showing a 6% increase in engagement. 

Simultaneously, the number of developers with latent interest has decreased by 6%.

This dynamic suggests that AI-assisted development is maturing and gaining practical applicability in the development landscape.

Generative AI: Unleashing Creative Possibilities

Alongside AI-assisted development, generative AI has emerged as a new and exciting technology. 

With 57% of developers actively involved or interested in generative AI, curiosity and excitement abound. While AI-assisted development still leads in adoption at 17%, generative AI projects attract 14% of engaged developers.

The Many Uses of Generative AI

Developers use generative AI in three main ways: 

  • as a helpful tool for their development process
  • by integrating it into projects through APIs
  • or even by creating the models themselves.

Ongoing investigations are exploring these usage patterns to uncover more insights into this groundbreaking technology.

Challenges and Opportunities

Although generative AI is gaining high engagement, there are factors that affect its adoption among developers.

Some developers may be hesitant to rely solely on generative models for critical or security-conscious tasks. 

However, there is a growing adoption of generative AI for visual assets in software development, which reduces the risks of errors and security vulnerabilities.

Overcoming Challenges

Developers who work on generative AI models face the challenge of needing a large amount of training data. 

However, certain tools offer the ability to fine-tune pre-trained models for specific tasks, making this challenge easier to overcome. As developers become more familiar with assistive and generative AI technologies, we can expect a surge in their adoption, leading to innovation and creativity.

Leadership’s Role

Interestingly, leaders in C-suite and other leadership positions show higher engagement rates with emerging technologies. 

About 49% and 50% of those who approve tool expenses or budgets are actively involved in AI-assisted development. 

This trend suggests that the revolution in AI-assisted development is driven by leaders who recognize its potential.

Looking Ahead: The Changing Landscape:

When we take a broader view, we see a cyclical pattern in the adoption and interest in emerging technologies. Developer interest has dropped by 5% overall, while adoption has increased by 4 percentage points. 

This contrast indicates a dynamic shift in developer preferences, marking a change from previous trends.

In summary, AI-assisted development is rapidly evolving and attracting developers’ attention. Generative AI opens up exciting possibilities, and leadership engagement plays a crucial role in driving its growth. Cryptocurrencies continue to be intriguing, and the landscape of emerging technologies is constantly shifting. 

Did you find this article interesting? Download the free report to learn about: 

  • The rest of the technologies that capture the developers’ imagination
  • The Role of female coders in software development
  • An update on language communities
  • How well-paid developers feel
  • What makes a high-quality API
  • An Overview of embedded software development
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Community News and Resources

Shaping the future of Developer Space: Start here.

It’s, no doubt, one of the fastest moving tech eras in the history of technology. From artificial intelligence and machine learning to blockchain and virtual reality, emerging technologies are transforming entire industries and redefining the way we interact with the world around us. 

For software developers , keeping up with the latest technologies has never been more crucial. By continually testing your knowledge and understanding of these technologies, you can utilize those capabilities to their greatest potential, making your life simpler, faster and more efficient. But where do you start?

Our brand-new Developer Nation survey is now open for developers who’d like to test their standing with the latest technologies and leave their mark in shaping the future of developer space. To help you get a better understanding of who we are, what we do and what it feels like to be a part of our developer community, we’ve also compared the Developer Nation Survey with the surveys offered by other developer communities, like Stack Overflow, across a variety of parameters to help you make the choice for yourself. 

Now, read on and unleash the incredible power of your voice!

Developer Nation Survey: Your Voice Matters

Developer Nation survey is the leading research programme that focuses on capturing and analyzing the trends in the developer ecosystem by inviting the participation of developers within the Web, Mobile, Desktop, Cloud, DevOps, Industrial IoT & Consumer Electronics, AR/VR, Apps/extensions for 3rd party ecosystems, Games, Machine Learning & AI, and Data Science fields. Some of the questions we ask revolve around your favourite tools and platforms, the projects you’re currently working on, your perspective on the software development cycle, and more. 

Why does your voice matter? Because it helps shed light on the challenges, trends, and opportunities within the developer community. With developers being the backbone of technological advancements and innovation, your opinion can directly influence the tools, programming languages, and industry standards of tomorrow

Many big tech companies trust our unique data insights in helping them understand developers better and shape their strategies. Here’s how Okta uses our data – your voice, to unlock more developer opportunities.

By participating in the Developer Nation Survey, you’ll be able to not only gain valuable insights and learn about the latest trends, but also have a chance to share your voice and ensure that your unique perspective is considered in shaping the future of software development. 

Comparing Prominent Developer Surveys

While these surveys focus on grasping the essence and behaviors of the developer community, they offer unique perspectives and insights across different dimensions, such as location, prizes, developer communities, loyalty programs, and average reach. 

Focus point

The Developer Nation Survey offers a global perspective, covering a wide range of topics and trends that impact developers worldwide. It emphasizes inclusivity and collaboration, ensuring that diverse voices and experiences are represented in shaping the future of software development. On the other hand, the Stack Overflow Developer Survey and Offerzen’s State of the European Software Developer Nation Survey have a narrower focus, and, therefore, offer localized insights and shed light on the challenges and opportunities within particular regions. 

To reach a wider and more diverse audience, we also translate our Developer Nation surveys in 10 languages  and make it available in 165+ countries, making it accessible and convenient for people who are not native English speakers. 

Loyalty program

With the mission of helping developers be their best selves, we place great importance on giving back to our community by sharing valuable insights and data, helping them set the right foundations for their careers, discover opportunities for professional growth and reward them for active participation with our loyalty program. Give us your feedback, participate in our survey production process or complete the survey to gather points, unlock special benefits and win prizes! 

Prizes

We understand that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach. As a result, we try to bring in many exciting rewards which can be useful, practical and high-tech. Compared with other communities, we offer a wide range of different prizes and here’s what you can get your hands on by taking part in our Developer Nation survey:  cards and vouchers towards your desktop setup, a MacBook Pro13 M2, an Asus ZenBook13, annual or monthly licenses, courses credits to learn something new, and many more. Plus, everyone who completes the survey will get a free virtual goody bag with access to free resources. So, why not take your chance to get something you always wanted?

Giving back to the community

We make recurring donations to the charity of your choice. For each qualified survey response we donate USD $0.10 to different charities and organizations supported by our developer community. Our goal is to reach USD $1,700 in donations. Take the survey, pick a charity to support, and help us make a difference!

the future of Developer Space

What we do with the data 

We protect your privacy by anonymising all your answers. Those results are then available in the free State of the Developer Nation 25th Edition report, which you can be the first one to have access to by taking our survey! If you’re interested in the insights we offer in our reports, check out the previous editions here.

We exchange those insights regarding emerging trends among developers to help individuals responsible for developing tools and platforms in understanding the genuine needs of software creators. Our research remains independent, meaning that our surveys and data are not owned by any vendor, community, or other affiliated partner.

As for our survey methodology, we keep it transparent by making our sampling and analysis methods available in all our reports on developernation.net, free to download for all developers.

Ready to kick things off? Start the survey now!

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Community News and Resources

The Art of Community: Why Developers Contribute to Vendor-Owned Open Source Projects

Open source software (OSS) development is deeply ingrained in the developer culture, representing a distinct and inclusive collaborative ecosystem. In this chapter, we will explore the motivations behind vendor-owned OSS contributions through the lenses of experience, global region, and the use of Stack Overflow. 

OSS projects represent the power of community: collaborative efforts to develop code and software which positively impacts a wider audience than the individuals involved. Vendor-owned OSSprojects, e.g. TensorFlow and Visual Studio Code, combine this sense of community with financial backing from the world’s largest tech companies – a powerful combination of stability and open cooperation. 

For every developer involved in vendor-owned OSS, there is a different motivating factor – why do developers contribute to these projects? The big picture is that the top-three motivators for vendor-owned OSS contributors are: wanting to learn how to code better (38%), to improve the software that they use (29%),and to contribute to something bigger than themselves (22%).

How does experience affect vendor-owned OSS contribution?

When compared to beginners, those with six years of experience or more are around 13 percentage points more likely to contribute in order to improve a software they use. These experienced and improvement-focussed developers are also much more likely to hold specialist roles compared to their less experienced peers. For example, they are six times more likely tobe software architects and five times more likely to be either tech/engineering team leads or site reliability engineers. They not only believe that the software they use can be improved, but that they also have the capability and skills to improve it.

Experienced developers devote significant attention to enhancing the open-source software (OSS) provided by vendors, which they actively use and rely on

In fact, improving software seems to be the main motivation for many senior developers – those with 16 years of experience or more are the least likely to contribute for the majority of the other reasons we list. Learning to code better, getting noticed by their company, and getting their code reviewed are much lower priorities among seasoned developers. This is to be expected given the amount of expertise and recognition they have typically accumulated by that stage of their career.

At the other end of the scale, those most willing to contribute for their own education are developers with 1-2 years of experience. Compared to those with even less experience,these developers are 58% more likely to be exclusively professionals and 48% less likely to be exclusively students. In other words, at this stage of their careers, they have enough professional know-how and confidence to contribute to vendor-owned OSS software – yet are pursuing further education for their coding skills by giving back to the community.

Vendor-owned OSS contribution around the world

According to our data, 73% of developers contribute to vendor-owned OSS globally, but the level of contribution varies around the world. Developers in South Asia are the most likely to contribute (85%), while those in Eastern Europe are the least likely (67%). As for the two largest regional developer communities, North America and Western Europe,78% and 70% of developers contribute to corporate OSS projects, respectively.

South Asia and the Middle East and Africa are hotspots for developers contributing to vendor – owned OSS projects in order to level up their coding skills

As for specific motivations, there are a couple of hotspot regions that stand out from the crowd. Nearly half (47%) of OSS contributors in the Middle East and Africa and SouthAsia are motivated by learning to code better and similarly, about one in four by the opportunity to have their code reviewed by more experienced colleagues: 10 and 5 percentage points above the global average, respectively. 

Tying in with our previous analysis: these regions also hold the two largest shares of developers with less than two years of experience – 52% for the Middle East and Africa and 73% for South Asia.

However, to see how motivations towards vendor-owned OSS change across the globe, we take a wider perspective. In doing so, we group motivations into three broad categories: individual-focussed (getting noticed by the company, learning to code better, etc), collaboration-focussed (getting their code reviewed by knowledgeable people, etc.), and business-focussed (building community support around a corporate open source software project). In this manner, we can get a view of how sentiments towards vendor-owned OSS change around the world.

For instance, we see that developers in Oceania are at least 5 percentage points more likely than any other region to have business-focussed motivations when contributing to vendor-owned OSS projects. This may be linked to the financial success/focus of developers in this region – 9% of OSS contributors in Oceania report that they or their organisation generate more than $1M of revenue every month on average,compared to the global average of 4%.

Female developers are considerably more likely to be business-focussed when contributing to vendor-owned OSS

An interesting note on gender: we see that globally, female developers are 26% more likely than male developers to be business-focussed in their approach to vendor-owned OSS contribution. This observation is particularly strong in Europe: 54%of female developers in Western and Eastern Europe are business-focussed, compared to 33% of male developers. However, as the proportion of OSS-contributing female developers (22%) is only slightly higher than the global proportion (21%), it’s unlikely that they drive business-focussed regional behaviour. 

How do OSS contributors useStack Overflow?

Let’s look at the usage of a website that is synonymous with cooperation in programming and software development and see how the proportion of OSS contributors changes with varying levels of interaction. For users of Stack Overflow, we see a behavioural trend–those who are more active on the website are more likely to contribute to vendor-owned OSS.

Diving into the specific usage patterns of Stack Overflow,those who don’t use or visit the site are the least likely to contribute to vendor-owned OSS for any reason, compared to those who use the site at any level. This is again related to experience: 39% of those who don’t use Stack Overflow havel ess than a year of software development experience and only 5% have an account with a badge; these developers are the least likely to contribute to vendor-owned OSS projects, after those with more than 16 years of experience.

Likewise, there are differences in motivations to contribute to vendor-owned OSS between those with or without StackOverflow badges. For example, only 28% of OSS-contributing developers without a badge want to improve the software they use, in contrast to 40% of developers with badges. A possible driver here is professional status – 74% of those without a badge are professionals. For those with a badge, 91% are professionals: these developers are not only more focussed on improvement, they are more willing to engage with the community to do so.

The strength of community shines through in vendor-owned OSS projects, where collaborative efforts to develop software have the remarkable ability to create positive impacts on a broader audience beyond the individuals directly involved. Here, we’ve shown that developers involved in vendor-owned OSS have different motivations depending on their experience, gender, and region, which in turn reflects how they use collaborative environments like Stack Overflow.