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Top 10 Remote Access Software Tools for Seamless Connectivity in 2024

Top 10 Remote Access Software Tools for Seamless Connectivity

As remote work continues to be the norm, the demand for efficient and secure remote access software has never been higher. Businesses need tools that not only provide seamless connectivity but also ensure security, reliability, and ease of use. Here, we delve into the top 10 remote access software tools of 2024, each offering unique features to cater to a variety of needs.

1. Zoho Assist

Overview: Zoho Assist is a comprehensive remote access and support solution that caters to businesses of all sizes. With its cloud-based architecture, it allows IT professionals to provide remote support and access unattended computers from anywhere.

Key Features:

  • Unattended remote access
  • Multi-platform support (Windows, Mac, Linux)
  • Screen sharing, file transfer, and chat capabilities
  • Integration with other Zoho products like Zoho Desk and Zoho CRM

Pricing: Zoho Assist offers a free plan for one user with basic features. Paid plans start at $10 per month.

2. Atera

Overview: Atera is an all-in-one remote monitoring and management (RMM) platform that includes remote access features. It’s designed primarily for managed service providers (MSPs) and IT professionals, offering a range of tools for monitoring, managing, and supporting IT infrastructure remotely.

Key Features:

  • Remote desktop and file transfer capabilities
  • Automated patch management
  • Real-time alerts and monitoring
  • Integration with PSA (Professional Services Automation) tools

Pricing: Atera’s pricing is subscription-based, starting at $79 per technician per month.

3. ManageEngine Remote Access Plus

Overview: ManageEngine Remote Access Plus is a powerful remote access tool designed for IT teams. It provides advanced features for troubleshooting and managing remote endpoints, making it a preferred choice for enterprises with extensive IT infrastructure.

Key Features:

  • Remote control with multi-monitor support
  • Remote file transfer and command execution
  • Video recording of remote sessions
  • Support for Windows, macOS, and Linux

Pricing: ManageEngine Remote Access Plus offers a free edition for up to 10 computers, with paid plans starting at $95 per technician per year.

4. Zendesk Remote

Overview: Zendesk Remote is part of the Zendesk Suite, which is widely known for customer support solutions. Zendesk Remote integrates remote access directly into customer service workflows, enabling support teams to assist customers efficiently.

Key Features:

  • Seamless integration with Zendesk Support
  • Remote control and screen sharing
  • Session recording for quality assurance
  • Real-time chat and communication during support sessions

Pricing: Zendesk Remote is included in the Zendesk Suite, with plans starting at $49 per agent per month.

5. Zoho Remotely

Overview: Zoho Remotely is a remote work suite designed to help teams stay connected and productive from anywhere. While it includes a variety of collaboration tools, its remote access capabilities are a standout feature for businesses looking to manage remote teams effectively.Integrating effective email marketing software in USA alongside these tools can further enhance your communication strategy, allowing you to reach your audience with targeted campaigns and optimise business outcomes.

Key Features:

  • Remote desktop access
  • Project management and collaboration tools
  • Secure file storage and sharing
  • Integrated communication via chat, video, and voice

Pricing: Zoho Remotely offers a free plan with limited features, while paid plans start at $10 per user per month.

6. Freshservice

Overview: Freshservice is an IT service management (ITSM) tool that includes robust remote access capabilities. It’s designed to help IT teams manage and support their organizations’ technology infrastructure, making it an excellent choice for medium to large enterprises. corporating payroll software alongside tools like Freshservice ensures that businesses can manage both their IT infrastructure

Key Features:

  • Remote control and screen sharing for troubleshooting
  • Automated workflows for incident management
  • Asset management and configuration management database (CMDB)
  • Integration with other Freshworks products

Pricing: Freshservice plans start at $19 per agent per month.

7. ISL Online

Overview: ISL Online is a remote desktop software solution known for its reliability and security. It’s particularly popular among IT support teams and customer service departments that require secure, fast, and easy-to-use remote access tools.

Key Features:

  • Remote desktop access with high-security standards
  • Unattended access and session recording
  • Cross-platform support (Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS)
  • Branding and customization options

Pricing: ISL Online offers flexible pricing options, with a basic plan starting at $145 per year.

8. Wayk Now

Overview: Wayk Now is a versatile remote desktop access tool designed for IT professionals who need to manage and support remote systems. It provides an easy-to-use interface combined with powerful features to ensure seamless remote access.

Key Features:

  • Instant remote access without prior installation
  • Cross-platform support (Windows, Mac, Linux)
  • Secure file transfer and clipboard sharing
  • Integrated chat and collaboration tools

Pricing: Wayk Now offers a free version with basic features, and paid plans start at $15 per user per month.

9. SpatialChat

Overview: SpatialChat is a remote collaboration tool with a focus on creating virtual workspaces. While not a traditional remote access tool, it provides a unique way for remote teams to interact and collaborate in a virtual environment, making it ideal for distributed teams.

Key Features:

  • Virtual meeting rooms with spatial audio
  • Screen sharing and media sharing
  • Customizable virtual office layouts
  • Integration with other collaboration tools

Pricing: SpatialChat offers a free plan with limited features, and paid plans start at $49 per month.

10. Loop Team

Overview: Loop Team is designed to replicate the in-office experience for remote teams, offering a platform that combines video conferencing, messaging, and collaboration with remote access features. It’s ideal for teams that want to maintain a high level of communication and collaboration while working remotely.

Key Features:

  • Persistent virtual rooms for ongoing team collaboration
  • Screen sharing and remote control capabilities
  • Meeting recording and transcription
  • Integration with productivity tools like Slack and Google Workspace

Pricing: Loop Team offers a free version with basic features, with paid plans starting at $8 per user per month.

Conclusion

The diverse range of remote access tools available in 2024 ensures that businesses and individuals can find the perfect solution to meet their needs. Whether you require a robust IT management platform like ManageEngine Remote Access Plus, an all-in-one remote work suite like Zoho Remotely, or a unique virtual collaboration environment like SpatialChat, there’s a tool to fit every scenario. As remote work continues to evolve, these tools will play a critical role in ensuring that teams stay connected, productive, and secure, no matter where they are in the world.

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Tools

Algorand and Gaming: Exploring Blockchain’s Impact on the Gaming Industry

blockchain and gaming thumbnail

Perhaps the last thing that springs to mind when you think about blockchain technology is gaming. But with Algorand leading the charge, the gaming sector has quietly emerged as one of the most fascinating areas for blockchain innovation. This essay will delve into the exciting realm where gaming and Algorand collide and examine how blockchain is changing the industry and opening up new options for investors, developers, and players.

Key Takeaways

  • Algorand in particular, a kind of blockchain technology, is transforming the gaming sector.
  • The way that players engage with virtual worlds is evolving as a result of decentralized ownership, NFTs, and play-to-earn models.
  • Algorand is the best blockchain for gaming apps because of its speed, security, and scalability.
  • New opportunities are opening up in the blockchain gaming industry for both gamers and creators.

Gaming on Blockchain Is Growing

Gaming on the blockchain is evolving, and it’s all about ownership, decentralization, and the fascinating realm of non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

  • Imagine becoming the sole owner of all of your own in-game items, such as characters or skins, independent from any game publishers. Blockchain enables this by allowing users to truly own their virtual assets. Fast transaction times on Algorand guarantee seamless and safe asset transfers.
  • Non-Fungible Tokens, or NFTs, have swept the gaming industry. Players may easily purchase, sell, and trade their in-game things thanks to these distinctive digital assets, which are frequently created on blockchain systems like Algorand. In the gaming world, NFTs are highly prized due to their scarcity and distinctiveness.

A Brief Introduction to Algorand

Photo by Shubham Dhage on Unsplash

Let’s first take a closer look at Algorand’s effects on the gaming sector before learning more about this cutting-edge blockchain platform. 

A high-performance, open-source blockchain technology called Algorand is intended for decentralized apps and digital assets. Because of its distinctive consensus method, which enables quick transaction processing while retaining security and decentralization, it stands out in the blockchain ecosystem.

Algorand’s Impact on Gaming Revolution

The demands of the gaming industry are perfectly met by Algorand’s blockchain capabilities, ushering in a new age of gaming experiences.

  • Scalability and speed: Algorand’s blockchain can execute thousands of transactions per second, eradicating latency and lengthy confirmation periods that can sour a gaming session. Now that gameplay and transactions are seamless, it is simpler for players to purchase, sell, and trade in-game goods.
  • Security is crucial in a world where digital assets are becoming more and more valuable. With Algorand’s robust security mechanisms in place, participants can play blockchain-based games with confidence knowing their funds are safe from fraud and hackers.
  • Low Transaction costs: When exchanging in-game cash or products, traditional gaming sometimes carries expensive transaction costs. With almost no transaction costs, Algorand’s blockchain makes play-to-earn models and NFT trading economically viable for gamers.

Play-to-Earn Changes the Rules

Photo by Shubham Dhage on Unsplash

Blockchain technology is transforming gamers into earners, and play-to-earn business models are leading this change.

  • Earning While Playing: In conventional video games, levelling up is done merely for fun. Blockchain gaming, on the other hand, introduces the idea of “play-to-earn,” where players may get real-world value by taking part in the game. The accumulation of digital assets with actual monetary worth may be done by players through in-game tasks or NFT trading.
  • Economic Inclusivity: Play-to-earn models have the potential to give gamers in areas with a dearth of traditional employment possibilities access to new sources of income. Now, players from different backgrounds may take part in the worldwide market for virtual goods.

Blockchain Gaming’s Future

Algorand and blockchain technology have opened up a world of possibilities for gaming in the future.

  • Imagine being able to easily transfer your hard-earned stuff and progress from one game to another while using your favourite in-game character. This might become a reality thanks to the interoperability capabilities of blockchain, establishing a vibrant gaming industry.
  • Virtual Worlds Outside of Gaming: The significance of blockchain goes beyond gaming. Blockchain-based virtual worlds have the potential to link individuals from all over the world in novel ways by acting as meeting places, markets, and even educational environments.

Final Thoughts

A huge step forward for both players and developers, Algorand’s incorporation into the gaming sector. With the help of blockchain technology, players can now fully own their virtual assets, participate in the play-to-earn revolution, and discover a whole new world of gaming. Be sure to keep an eye on Algorand as we enter this fascinating era of blockchain gaming. It’s a fantastic platform for both players and developers because of its speed, security, and scalability, which are transforming the gaming industry. Seize the opportunity to play in the unlimited virtual worlds of the future, where a blockchain may provide hours of entertainment.

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Tips Tools

Empowering Developers: Harnessing Headless Ecommerce for Omnichannel Strategy

Empowering Developers: Harnessing Headless Ecommerce for Omnichannel Strategy

In an era where digital commerce is king and consumers demand more seamless and personalized shopping experiences than ever before, traditional ecommerce approaches have reached their limits. 

Enter the game-changer: “Headless Ecommerce,” a concept revolutionizing the way we engage with customers across multiple digital channels.

In this digital age, where consumers seamlessly transition between websites, mobile apps, social media, and even voice-activated devices to make their purchases, the need for a unified and flexible approach to online retail has never been more critical. 

This is precisely where headless ecommerce steps into the spotlight, empowering businesses to craft tailored, immersive, and high-performance experiences for their customers.

In this article, we’ll explore the concept of Headless Ecommerce, explaining why traditional content management systems no longer meet the omnichannel challenge. 

We’ll delve into the advantages, trends, as well as challenges faced by retailers as they navigate the path to omnichannel excellence.

So, fasten your seatbelts as we embark on a journey to discover the power of “Empowering Developers: Harnessing Headless Ecommerce for Omnichannel Strategy.” 

Explore the transformational capabilities of headless commerce, and how it empowers businesses to meet the demands of an ever-evolving digital retail ecosystem.

Definition of Headless Ecommerce

Headless ecommerce refers to a modern approach to online retail where the front-end (the user interface) and back-end (the content management and commerce engine) of an ecommerce platform are decoupled or “headless” from each other. 

This decoupling allows for greater flexibility and customization in delivering content and shopping experiences across various digital channels. 

Unlike traditional content management systems (CMS), which tightly integrate the front-end and back-end, headless ecommerce empowers retailers to deliver consistent and engaging experiences across web, mobile apps, social media, chatbots, and more.

Why Traditional CMS is Not Suitable for Omnichannel Strategy?

Traditional CMS platforms are designed primarily for website management, which makes them ill-suited for the complexities of omnichannel retail. 

Here are a few reasons why traditional CMS falls short in supporting an effective omnichannel strategy:

Limited Flexibility

Traditional CMS systems often provide limited control over the presentation layer, making it difficult to create unique and tailored experiences for each channel. 

With headless commerce, developers have the freedom to design and build user interfaces that are optimized for each channel.

Inefficient Performance

Traditional CMS systems can struggle with the demands of handling multiple channels, resulting in slower page load times and a subpar user experience. 

Headless ecommerce, on the other hand, optimizes the delivery of content, resulting in faster page load times, reduced bounce rates, and improved search engine rankings.

Integration Challenges

Integrating a traditional CMS with multiple sales channels and backend systems can be complex, time-consuming, and costly. 

Headless ecommerce platforms are designed with robust APIs that make it easier to integrate with various sales channels, enabling a unified inventory management and order fulfillment process.

Advantages of Headless Ecommerce in Omnichannel Strategy

Now that we understand the limitations of traditional CMS, let’s delve into the advantages of harnessing headless ecommerce for your omnichannel strategy:

Flexibility and Customization

  • Tailored User Experiences

With headless commerce, retailers can provide tailored user experiences for each channel. Whether a customer is shopping on a website, mobile app, or social media platform, the experience can be optimized to suit the specific preferences and behaviors of users on that channel.

  • Channel-Specific Content

Headless ecommerce allows retailers to create and deliver channel-specific content, promotions, and product information. 

This means you can cater to the unique characteristics of each channel, ensuring that your messaging resonates effectively.

Scalability and Performance

  • Handling High Traffic Loads

Headless ecommerce architectures are built to handle high volumes of traffic and transactions. This ensures that your system remains responsive even during peak shopping seasons or flash sales, preventing potential revenue loss due to slow or unavailable websites.

  • Improved Page Load Time

By separating the front-end from the back-end, headless ecommerce can optimize the delivery of content. This results in faster page load times, enhancing the user experience and improving your site’s SEO ranking.

Integration Capabilities

  • Integrating with Multiple Sales Channels

Headless ecommerce platforms are designed with robust APIs that simplify the integration with various sales channels, including marketplaces, social media, and third-party applications.

This integration allows for a unified inventory management and order fulfillment process, reducing operational complexity.

  • Data Synchronization

Data synchronization across channels is streamlined with headless ecommerce. This ensures that product information, inventory levels, and customer data are consistent and up to date, enhancing the overall customer experience.

Empowering Developers for Success

Developers play a pivotal role in the successful implementation of headless ecommerce for an omnichannel strategy. Empowering developers with the right tools, resources, and best practices is essential for harnessing the full potential of this approach.

A. Developer-Centric Benefits

1. Ease of Development

Headless ecommerce simplifies the development process by decoupling the front-end and back-end systems. 

This separation allows developers to work more efficiently and focus on creating compelling user experiences without being constrained by monolithic architectures. 

Here’s why ease of development matters:

  • Rapid Development: Developers can build and update front-end interfaces more quickly, reducing time-to-market for new features or channels.
  • Flexibility: The decoupled nature of headless ecommerce gives developers the freedom to choose the best tools and technologies for specific tasks, optimizing development workflows.

2. Technology Stack Freedom

Headless ecommerce liberates developers from rigid technology stacks commonly associated with traditional ecommerce platforms. With technology stack freedom, developers can:

  • Select the Right Tools: Developers can choose the programming languages, frameworks, and libraries that align with their expertise and project requirements, resulting in more efficient and effective development.
  • Stay Current: Developers can stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and trends, ensuring that their ecommerce solutions remain innovative and competitive.

B. Developer Tools and Resources

To empower developers for success in a headless ecommerce environment, it’s crucial to provide them with the right tools and resources. Here are some essential components:

1. Headless CMS Options

Headless Content Management Systems (CMS) are a cornerstone of headless ecommerce. They provide a user-friendly interface for managing content while allowing developers to pull that content into various channels. Popular headless CMS options include:

  • Contentful: Known for its flexibility and scalability, Contentful offers a wide range of APIs for content management, enabling developers to deliver content seamlessly to multiple platforms.
  • Strapi: Strapi is an open-source headless CMS that allows developers to build, deploy, and manage content with ease. Its customizable nature makes it a favorite among developers.
  • Prismic: Prismic simplifies content management with an intuitive interface and API-driven approach, enabling developers to deliver content to web and mobile applications effortlessly.

2. Ecommerce APIs

Ecommerce APIs are essential for integrating the front-end with backend commerce systems, enabling functionalities such as product catalog management, shopping cart interactions, and order processing. Examples of ecommerce APIs include:

  • Shopify API: Shopify offers a robust API that allows developers to create custom storefronts and manage ecommerce features programmatically.
  • WooCommerce REST API: WooCommerce, a popular WordPress ecommerce plugin, provides RESTful APIs for developers to interact with their online stores.
  • Magento Commerce API: Magento’s API suite provides extensive capabilities for developers to customize and extend their ecommerce stores.

3. Headless Commerce Platforms

Investing in a comprehensive headless commerce platform is essential for providing developers with a solid foundation for their work. These platforms offer a range of tools and services, including:

  • Payment Processing: Integration with payment gateways, enabling secure online transactions.
  • Inventory Management: Tools for tracking product availability and managing stock across channels.
  • Order Fulfillment: Streamlined order processing and shipping management.
  • Analytics and Reporting: Insights into customer behavior and sales performance.

C. Best Practices for Developers

To ensure developers can maximize the benefits of headless ecommerce for omnichannel strategies, it’s crucial to follow best practices:

1. Cross-Channel Compatibility

Developers should design front-end interfaces that are responsive and compatible with various devices and screen sizes. 

Cross-channel compatibility ensures a consistent and user-friendly experience across web, mobile apps, social media, and other digital touchpoints.

2. Security Considerations

Security is paramount in ecommerce. Developers must implement robust security measures to protect customer data, payment information, and sensitive transactions. 

Regular security audits and adherence to industry standards are essential.

3. Testing and QA

Comprehensive testing and quality assurance are vital for delivering bug-free and high-performing ecommerce solutions. 

Developers should conduct thorough testing, including functional, usability, and performance testing, to identify and address issues before they impact the customer experience.

Challenges with Omnichannel eCommerce

While the advantages of adopting headless ecommerce for omnichannel strategy are clear, it’s essential to acknowledge the challenges that come with it:

Complex Integration

Integrating multiple sales channels, backend systems, and data sources can be complex and costly. Effective project planning and collaboration are crucial to ensure a smooth implementation.

Consistency Across Channels

Maintaining consistent branding, pricing, and product information across all channels can be challenging, especially when dealing with a diverse array of touchpoints. A robust content management strategy is essential to overcome this challenge.

Data Security

With the collection and management of customer data and payment information across various channels, data security becomes paramount. Retailers must implement robust security measures to protect against data breaches and fraud.

Future Trends in Headless Ecommerce and Omnichannel Strategy

The future of headless ecommerce and omnichannel strategy holds exciting prospects:

AI and Personalization

Artificial intelligence and machine learning will play a crucial role in delivering personalized shopping experiences across channels. AI-powered chatbots and recommendation engines will become more prevalent, enhancing customer engagement.

Voice Commerce

Voice-activated shopping through devices like smart speakers is on the rise. Retailers must adapt their strategies to accommodate voice interfaces and offer seamless voice commerce experiences.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)

AR and VR technologies will transform the way customers interact with products online. Virtual try-ons and immersive shopping experiences will become more common, influencing purchasing decisions.

Sustainability and Ethical Commerce

Consumers are increasingly concerned about sustainability and ethical practices. Retailers must adopt transparent and eco-friendly supply chains across all channels to meet evolving consumer expectations.

Conclusion

Harnessing headless ecommerce for an omnichannel strategy empowers retailers to deliver seamless, personalized, and high-performing shopping experiences across multiple digital touchpoints. 

By decoupling the front-end and back-end, businesses can adapt to changing customer preferences and stay competitive in the evolving ecommerce landscape. 

While there are challenges to overcome, the future of headless ecommerce and omnichannel strategy holds promising opportunities for retailers willing to invest in modern, flexible, and customer-centric solutions. 

Embrace this transformative approach, and your ecommerce strategy will be well-positioned for success in the digital age.

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Analysis Tools

How To Differentiate Junior and Senior Developers

junior vs senior developer

Job titles do not merely define the distinction between junior and senior developers but by a multitude of skills, experiences, and responsibilities. According to recent industry data, the demand for skilled developers continues to surge, with an estimated 22% growth expected by 2030. 

As organizations strive to build innovative digital solutions, recognizing the nuanced differences between these two roles becomes pivotal for effective team collaboration, mentorship, and project success. 

In this article, we delve into the key markers that differentiate junior and senior developers, shedding light on the diverse attributes that contribute to their respective contributions within the dynamic software engineering landscape.

Skillset Comparison

Technical Proficiency

1. Language and Framework Knowledge: 

Junior developers often possess foundational knowledge of programming languages and frameworks, focusing on mastering the basics. For instance, a junior developer might be proficient in a single programming language like Python and a popular web framework like Django.

In contrast, senior developers exhibit expertise in multiple languages and frameworks. They might work with Python, Java, and Ruby, adapting to various project needs.

2. Problem-Solving Abilities:

Junior developers typically tackle well-defined tasks, troubleshooting simpler issues within a confined scope. A junior developer might debug a small code section, causing a minor functionality hiccup. On the other hand, senior developers excel in solving intricate, multifaceted problems. They might devise an innovative algorithm to optimize the performance of a complex system.

3. Code Optimization and Efficiency: 

Junior developers prioritize functional code, often lacking comprehensive optimization skills. For example, a junior developer might write code that works but is less efficient in terms of execution speed. Senior developers, however, focus on crafting efficient and scalable code. They could refactor code to improve performance, enhancing the user experience.

Soft Skills

1. Communication and Collaboration:

Junior developers typically communicate within their immediate team, sharing updates on smaller tasks. For instance, a junior developer might discuss progress on a website’s front-end design with fellow developers. 

Senior developers exhibit advanced communication skills, explaining complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. They might present the technical aspects of a project to company executives or clients.

2. Mentorship and Knowledge Sharing: 

Junior developers are recipients of guidance. They might attend workshops to enhance their skills. Conversely, senior developers actively mentor juniors and contribute to knowledge-sharing initiatives. For example, a senior developer could lead a coding workshop for junior team members, fostering a learning culture.

3. Decision-Making and Autonomy: 

Junior developers typically follow established guidelines and seek approvals for major decisions. A junior developer might need supervisor consent to introduce a new feature. Senior developers possess greater autonomy and decision-making authority. They might make critical architecture choices independently, based on their wealth of experience.

Experience Levels

Junior Developers

1. Entry-Level Positions:

Junior developers typically enter the workforce after completing formal education or coding bootcamps. They assume entry-level roles that allow them to gain practical experience and apply their foundational knowledge.

2. Limited Industry Experience: 

With only a short time in the field, junior developers are still familiarizing themselves with real-world projects, tools, and collaboration dynamics.

3. Learning and Skill Development Focus: 

Junior developers prioritize learning, seeking to broaden their skills and deepen their understanding of programming concepts through hands-on experience and training.

Senior Developers

1. Extensive Industry Experience: 

Senior developers have accumulated years of practical experience in software development. They’ve weathered various projects and challenges, contributing to their profound understanding of the field.

2. Leadership and Project Management Roles: 

Due to their seasoned expertise, senior developers often take on leadership roles, guiding projects from conception to completion. They also contribute their insights to strategic decision-making.

3. Expertise in Specific Domains: 

Over time, senior developers specialize in specific domains such as web development, mobile apps, machine learning, etc., honing their proficiency and becoming go-to resources in their chosen areas.

Responsibilities and Roles

Junior Developers

1. Task-Oriented Assignments:

Junior developers handle specific tasks or components of a project, often under the guidance of senior developers.

2. Learning from Senior Team Members: 

They learn valuable practices, techniques, and problem-solving approaches from experienced colleagues.

3. Seeking Guidance and Code Reviews:

Junior developers actively seek feedback and code reviews to improve their skills and ensure code quality. This practice becomes essential when building scalable and resilient web applications. 

Senior Developers

1. Designing Complex Systems and Architectures: 

Senior developers architect intricate systems, considering scalability, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.

2. Leading Projects and Making Technical Decisions: 

They take the lead on projects, making vital choices regarding technology selections, design methodologies, and overall system structures.

3. Mentoring Junior Developers: 

Senior developers play a pivotal role in the growth of junior developers by providing mentorship, fostering skill development, and sharing industry insights. This includes imparting knowledge about security practices to nurture a security-conscious culture.

Problem-Solving and Decision-Making

Junior Developers

1. Following Established Patterns and Best Practices: 

Junior developers use established coding patterns and industry best practices to solve problems. For instance, they might implement a common authentication method for a web application.

2. Consulting Seniors for Critical Decisions:

When facing complex or pivotal challenges, junior developers seek guidance from senior team members. This could involve deciding on the most suitable database structure for a project.

Senior Developers

1. Creating Innovative Solutions: 

Senior developers leverage their experience to devise novel solutions that address intricate problems. They might develop a unique algorithm to improve a system’s efficiency.

2. Weighing Trade-offs and Making Autonomous Decisions: 

With an understanding of the broader project context, senior developers make autonomous decisions, considering trade-offs like performance vs. scalability.

Communication and Collaboration

Junior Developers

1. Learning to Communicate Technical Ideas Effectively: 

Junior developers practice conveying technical concepts clearly within their team, striving to articulate their ideas comprehensively.

2. Collaborating Within Smaller Teams: 

They primarily collaborate within their immediate development team, working on specific project components.

Senior Developers

1. Communicating Complex Concepts to Non-Technical Stakeholders: 

Senior developers excel at bridging the gap between technical and non-technical parties. They might explain the benefits of a new feature to business stakeholders.

2. Collaborating Across Departments and Teams: 

Senior developers engage in cross-functional collaboration, aligning technical decisions with the strategic goals of various departments.

Conclusion 

In software development, distinguishing between junior and senior developers is crucial. Junior developers embark on a journey of learning and foundational skill-building, while senior developers bring extensive experience to the table, leading projects and mentoring others. 

Aspiring developers can draw inspiration from these distinctions to shape their career paths. Remember, growth is a continuum. Today’s junior can become tomorrow’s senior through dedication, continuous learning, and hands-on experience. Embrace each stage’s unique roles and contribute to the vibrant tapestry of innovation that drives the tech landscape forward.

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Tips Tools

Artificial Intelligence Developer Toolkit: Essential Tools and Frameworks for AI Development

artificial inteligence thumbnail

Artificial Intelligence has been around for a long time. People have studied it and have made progress but it’s only in recent years that people have started to recognize how AI is being used. Research on AI shows how much it can affect different industries in the years to come.

AI can be used correctly to enhance the human experience as a whole. AI is used for automation so that processes that are tedious and repetitive can be done easily. Automation is needed by different industries. Whether it is businesses that are focused on healthcare or those who are running their Ecommerce website, automation is going to play a huge role in how consumers will use apps and purchase other needed items.

Importance of Essential Tools and Frameworks for AI Development

An AI engineer can work better with the right tools and frameworks to develop the right apps that people will love. People from various industries who would like to start an AI project should understand that there are always different requirements that are needed. Some tools and frameworks can work well together depending on the project being created.

A wide variety of tools and frameworks are thoroughly discussed by other professionals on the internet. They are available in forums, on some websites, and even through videos. An artificial intelligence developer will have no issues in trying to find the right information for a project.

Data Preparation and Preprocessing

If there is one thing that is crucial in data preparation and processing, it is data quality. Machines are created by people and they will not work unless people have set them up very well. It has always been said that people are only as good as their mentors. If they want to become better, they need experience, they need more than one mentor, and they need different inputs and outputs. 

This is the same with the machines for AI. The data quality can highly impact the reliability of the machines. The accuracy and performance of the machine will only be as good as the people who are making the machines work. Artificial intelligence programmers are aware of this fact. This is why they always make an effort to provide a diverse and quality dataset to the machines.

Tools and Techniques for Data Cleaning, Transformation, and Feature Engineering

Good data and bad data can help businesses. Recognizing the bad data can eliminate the extra work that will be done to create the right dataset for any industry. Data cleaning is not people’s favorite activity but it is required to create the right type of data for the project.

It is through data cleaning that bad data can be weeded out from the dataset. Once this is figured out, the issues will be properly corrected. Some data can be considered unfixable which means that they need to be removed.

The usual reasons for unclean or bad data are the following:

  • Human error
  • Getting scrap data
  • Combining data from different sources

The use of bad data can make businesses spend more money than they should which is why it should be eradicated.

To do effective data cleaning, transformation, and engineering, these are the techniques to do:

  • Get rid of duplicates – You can get duplicated entries when you get information from different sources. Get rid of duplicates so that you will not skew the results.
  • Get rid of irrelevant data – Data that is not important to the project will only slow down the results. Remove things that will add nothing to the data that you have.
  • Make sure that text is consistent – One way that you can do this is by standardizing capitalization. Those who can also do NLP labeling can help with this.
  • Clear formatting – Most machines are unable to read data accurately if the data is heavily formatted. You may be dealing with different formats especially if you have gotten your data from various sources. Clear formatting and the data will be read smoothly.
  • Carefully remove errors from the data – This should be done to get a reliable dataset. Key findings might become hard to see if you do not clean the errors immediately.

Machine Learning and Deep Learning Frameworks

Machine learning is continuously growing and it can provide the smart solutions that businesses from different industries need. The frameworks can be understood better because of the libraries, interfaces, and tools that are available for people to view and study.

TensorFlow

This is created by Google’s Brain Team and it can be used for Python. It uses dataflow graphs to create and process data. This is preferred by those who do AI development because the learning models are easy to build. It can also be used for powerful research and experimentation.

PyTorch

This is a framework created by Facebook’s AI Research Lab also known as FAIR. This can be used for different libraries such as Python and C++. The framework is designed to be scaled and improved so that it can become more flexible depending on the project that you are making. This is best for people who are already familiar with C and C++ as there are some similarities.

Scikit-Learn

This is an open-source data analysis library which is usually one of the first choices when people want to do machine learning for Python. This can be helpful for data that needs to be segmented depending on the algorithm. It will also have the ability to recognize data based on the patterns that it shows. 

Natural Language Processing Tools

NLP tools and techniques are very helpful for AI as they can make AI more accurate. The process can also be done in a faster time as compared to not using the right NLP tools. NLP allows applications to do more every day. People can also gain more every day because of this. The more that technology improves, the more sophisticated the algorithms that become available.

Essential NLP Libraries and Tools

People who are searching for IT jobs in Germany usually try to increase the number of skills that they have. Still, they cannot just rely on their skills. They need to make an effort to learn more about the libraries and tools that they can use.

  • Natural Language Toolkit (NLTK) – This is a library that supports various tasks from text segmentation to semantic reasoning in Python. This is the main tool that professionals use for NLP and machine learning.
  • TextBlob – This is the tool that most beginners use when they want to make better experiences while still exploring Python and NLTK. This can help design people’s prototypes.
  • Core NLP – This is one of the tools that can be used when you are using Java. It is required that you have Java installed on your device before you can use this for different processes like sentiment analysis and part-of-speech tagger.

Model Evaluation and Deployment

How sure are you that your machine is providing the type of data that you are looking for? You need AI development services from a trusted company or professionals. They should know the different techniques to check the accuracy of the AI model that has been created.

Accuracy

This is the most widely used metric for model evaluation. This will show you the ratio between the corrected values and the data that you have placed on the machine. This will also show you if the classes that you are trying to analyze are imbalanced.

Precision

This will provide the percentage of the predicted positive instances. This will let you know if the model is giving you information about how right the machine is when it says that it can accurately read the data.

Specificity

The percentage of the negative instances are being measured against the actual total of the negative instances. This can be the most effective if you want to measure the actual number of people who have indicated negatives in the data set vs what the machine says is the percentage of negative instances.

Machine learning is not something new. An artificial intelligence development company can offer professionals who can use the right tools to deploy AI and machine learning easily. People have already learned a lot of details about it and it is expected to become more accurate in the years to come. 

Different machine learning tools might become steeper for beginners especially if they do not know anything about the processes. The sheer determination of people can weed out those who can become good at it.

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Tips Tools

Integrating Test Automation In Small Tech Business: Advantages And Disadvantages

Software testing verifies that the software or product meets the technical requirements of the project and works as expected. It checks for bugs and errors to ensure that the product delivers an ideal user experience. Software testing is vital to the success of the project. However, it could be time-consuming and stressful to execute without using automation tools. Simply reviewing the entire project manually could be a massive burden on the testing team, especially in the case of heavy-duty software.

It has become increasingly important for small tech businesses to integrate software automation testing in their development process. Testing automation tools allow testers to perform the tests with greater accuracy and efficiency. The tools handle the bulk of the grunt work so the testers can devote their time and attention to more critical tasks. 

This article will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of test automation for small businesses.

Advantages of Test Automation for Small Tech Businesses

Test automation can help small tech businesses in various ways. For starters, it can help them to streamline their operation and improve the quality of their product or service. Here are some more advantages of test automation to small businesses.

Increased Efficiency 

Automation testing helps the testing team to save time and be more efficient in the testing process. For instance, In manual testing, the testing process is entirely left to the testers, so testing can only happen during working hours. On the other hand, a test automation approach does not require manual intervention, so it can be executed around the clock; the testers can set it on the schedule, thus saving  time and getting conclusive test results faster.

Test automation could also be run on multiple devices simultaneously, further speeding up the testing process and reducing the testing time.

Improved Accuracy 

Small tech businesses looking to perform more thorough testing can benefit from the improved accuracy of test automation. During manual testing, you have to rely on the expertise and exposure of the testers. They could make mistakes, especially when they have to perform repetitive tasks. The quality of the tests could decline as the project becomes complicated. On the other hand, automation tests are highly repeatable and consistent; you can run automated tests severally without any reduction in thoroughness.

Test automation can reduce the risk of human error so you can get the best quality results.

Better Coverage 

Performing end-to-end tests on lengthy projects can be challenging with manual testing. The testers and developers may be unable to efficiently cover all memory contents, data tables, internal program states, and file contents to ascertain if the software works as expected. 

With test automation, you can increase the depth and scope of tests to review all parts of the software. It can help you to create more complex test cases, test more features, and improve the overall quality of your software.

Early Identification of Issues 

Test automation can help you to detect bugs and errors earlier in the development process. This helps to speed up the development process while ensuring that smaller problems are attended to before they transform into more complicated issues. 

The earlier the defect is identified, the easier it is to fix it and the more cost-effective it is to resolve the issue. According to IBM Science Institute, a bug discovered in the testing phase costs fifteen times more than a bug discovered in the design phase, and a bug discovered in the implementation phase costs a hundred times more to fix than a bug in the design phase. You will save more money if you can uncover all the hidden errors earlier in the production process.

Disadvantages of Test Automation for Small Tech Businesses

As the famous saying goes, “every coin has two sides”. The same goes for test automation. Test automation may offer some disadvantages for small businesses. Here are some of the possible disadvantages of test automation.

Initial Cost 

Small businesses may be unable to afford the high initial setup and implementation costs. However, this depends on the scope and complexity of the project. Larger projects require more time and resources, which may cause a tremendous financial strain for small tech businesses.

Maintenance Cost 

They also have to deal with the cost of maintenance. Automated tests must be constantly modified and maintained as the product changes to ensure that they continue to function effectively. For example, suppose there is a modification to the software’s user interface. In that case, the testers must update the test scripts to reflect the new change. This can be time-consuming for the testing team.

Lack of Flexibility 

Automation testing is not as flexible as manual testing. As automated tests are designed to test specific scenarios or situations, they may have difficulty adapting to changes or unexpected results.

Not Suitable for Open-Ended Testing

Open-ended and exploratory testing involves randomly testing the products to check how they behave under different conditions and uncover unforeseen issues. Automated tests have a defined purpose, making them unsuitable for tests that need to be performed randomly.. 

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Tools

AngularJS development tools for 2021

AngularJS development tools

Business and economy took the worst hit during the 2020 pandemic and the situation is making a comeback again this year. The adversities also paved the way to recognize the digital approach towards business. While digital marketing, websites, social media prevailed and was put to good use by businesses even before this situation, the pandemic made it a necessity rather than an option.

Businesses joined the online race to boost their company and stay afloat in these difficult times. All these together showed us how a business model can be re-thought based entirely on the internet.

The shift to e-commerce specifically called for simpler technologies for businesses as well as users and as a result, exponential growth in the requirement for web development tools has been witnessed. 

One such option is the AngularJS development tools. It is an open-source application that is particularly useful for making single-page applications. Angular JS Development Companies are significantly using the AngularJS Frameworks to simplify their works. 

We have listed some of the top AngularJS Development tools which are trending in 2021 here to give you an insight into the best options you can look out for.

5 Trending AngularJS development tools in 2021

With the help of AngularJS development tools, you can easily create a platform to promote your business—from a simple interface to comparatively complex applications. The following are top trending AngularJS platforms that are growing in popularity by the day:

Karma

This is one of the most popular testing frameworks for AngularJS Development. The primary perks of using this one are the option to test the application on a browser as well as a different device like tablets or smartphones. Unit testing, E2E testing, and midway testing are primarily conducted in this.

Features of Karma AngularJS Framework:

  • Versatile and can be used on all browsers
  • Open-source platform
  • Can be easily integrated with Travis, Jenkins, and Semaphore
  • Debugging is made easier
  • Integration is smooth

Pros and cons:

  • You can test it on real devices.
  • There are several plug-ins available to make your task simpler.
  • However, it is a bit slow compared to many other such tools.

Jasmine

If you want to test Javascript Codes, the Jasmine AngularJS Development tool is the one for you. It is driven by a behaviour approach and an independent framework that is not reliant on DOM javascript. 

Projects based on NodeJS, particularly find this useful, and any other project where the javascript works will also benefit from this. Accenture, Gitlab, Walmart are a few of the corporations among the 200 others which are built using Jasmine.

Features of Jasmine are as follows:

  • It is a fast framework with lower overhead.
  • There is an included library that you can access while using this framework.
  • It can be used for both browser and Node.
  • It does not require DOM.

Pros and Cons:

  • It is an open-source framework with a set of straightforward syntax for easier testing.
  • Coding is easier here and you also get community support along with thorough documentation.
  • The front end, as well as the backend test, are both simplified.
  • However, asynchronous testing can be a little bit tricky.

AngularFire

AngularFire is known as one of the best backend development tools. Dynamic API features and 3-way data binding can easily be facilitated with this tool. When you need a rapid development process, this is going to work. The most attractive feature of AngularFire is its ability to synchronize real-time binding and save the data in automated mode.

Features of AngularFire that make it so popular:

  • Data Storage is automatic.
  • Data syncing is done in real-time.
  • Binary files like videos and images are managed easily.
  • Firebase services are easily projected and injected.

Pros and Cons:

  • High security for the Angular roots and flexible and dynamic API.
  • The developer experience is simple and effective.
  • Documentation features are not considered up to the mark by many developers which is the only drawback of this AngularJS tool.

Djangular

It comes with several functionalities that help to focus on the primary development process and based on a philosophy called DRY or Don’t Repeat Yourself. Many leading e-commerce websites and social companies adopt this tool because it has a robust content delivery network.

Scalability, security, and rapid development are assured by this AngularJS development tool.

Features of Djangular:

  • You can get namespacing AngularJS content.
  • The frameworks are very flexible.

Pros and Cons:

  • It is protected by CSRF Security.
  • It is a reusable app and you can develop project-specific content.
  • Though an open-source development tool, it is a bit too advanced for beginners.

Mocha JS

Another popular JavaScript testing framework, Mocha JS, is known for flexibility and overall precise reporting. Many inbuilt features are incorporated in this tool and can also run on Node.JS. It sanctions asynchronous testing with mapping and broadcasting.

It also has global leak detection capabilities, browsing support, asynchronous support, and much more. In short, the Mocha.JS is ideal for producing suites and custom projects using its functionalities.

Features of Mocha.JS:

  • The framework has several features.
  • You get browser and async support.
  • Auto exit and testing support are also available with Mocha.JS.
  • There is a JavaScript API for testing.
  • The ease of set-up of this AngularJS tool is unbeatable.

Pros and Cons:

  • There is optimum test reporting and offers much more flexibility.
  • The multiple browser compatibility is commendable.
  • You get both TDD and BDD or Test Driven Development and Behavior Driven Development.

When you are trying to develop an app or website for your business, there are so many different features and aspects to keep in mind. This calls for using the right development tools. By opting for any of the above-mentioned tools, you can fulfill the requirement thoroughly. 

Now that you know the different popular AngularJS development tools and what their features are, you can determine easily how to put any of these to good use. Boosting your entrepreneurial ventures even in these difficult times is made simpler when you embrace the right technology.

About

Harikrishna Kundariya, is a marketer, developer, IoT, ChatBot & Blockchain savvy, designer, co-founder, Director of eSparkBiz Technologies. His 8+ experience enables him to provide digital solutions to new start-ups based on IoT and ChatBot.

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Tools

A Guide to Choose the Right JavaScript Framework for Web Programming

JavaScript frameworks

The platforms of JavaScript probably are the best frameworks for developers as well as business organizations nowadays. Already, there is a vast ocean of JavaScript frameworks, with new ones pouring in constantly.  Frontend developers have difficulty in making up their minds as to which framework to stick to, particularly for single-page apps.

There are so many JavaScript frameworks and libraries to choose from on the web. Among the most popular however include React, Angular, Ember, Meteor, and Vue. The frameworks of JavaScript are preferred over others due to their functionality and interoperability. The libraries offer a better functional approach, good scalability, and most important of all platform independence.

JavaScript at present is used on the client and server-sides. The platform helps in designing an enriched user experience with many features to alter web pages in real-time. For fast web application development, JavaScript is the most preferred and acts as the perfect skeleton for single page applications, enabling developers complete focus on the interface elements, expanding the platform capabilities.

To further determine the best JavaScript framework to choose that best fits your web programming requirements, take a closer look at the five best JavaScript frameworks. 

Five best JavaScript Frameworks


Which JavaScript frameworks are you using? Let us know in our latest Developer Economics survey.

React JavaScript Framework


JavaScript frameworks - React

The brain-child of Facebook: it’s the framework in which the highest viewed social media platform, Facebook is based on. It’s supported by the FB team and also the driving force behind Instagram. It’s the choice of developers for many reasons to create dynamic and high-traffic web apps. 

Deemed as the quickest growing framework, with over 1000 GitHub contributors which increases the use of ReactJS in development with high demand.

React acts as a View in the MVC framework, and could be integrated seamlessly and smoothly into any architecture. One component file has the HTML markup and the business logic. You can either use Flux or a similar JS library for components communication. 

The seamless transfer of data between components is easy with the help of the props objects and the state. Credits to the Virtual DOM and special reconciliation algorithm, front-end gets a considerable boost. Changes could be done by developers in real-time, without having to update the View each time.

Pros:

The major component of boosting performance is the virtual DOM. Since React is framework-friendly, you could integrate it with other frameworks for inflated compatibility and performance. Moreover, it could be utilized on the client and the server-side. 

Cons:

Its flexibility is also its downside. It’s not easy to choose from the overabundance of frameworks. It works only on the MVC Framework’s View layer. 

In spite of the inclusion of the major code libraries, in some instances it still needs more code. And since it’s more of a library instead of framework, data changes need manual processing. 

Angular JavaScript Framework


JavaScript frameworks - Angular

The web-app platform is type-script based, making it exceptionally agile. Led by the Angular team at Google, a community of members and testers, it’s an open-source solution. Referred often as an MVW framework, it’s considered the best to use, particularly among startups and medium-size enterprises.

What sets Angular apart from the rest of the JavaScript frameworks is its two-way data binding, which makes backend changes reflect in real time on the user interface. As the most sought-after apps for Single Page Applications, an Angular JS development company enjoys high demand. 

It’s preferred for hybrid mobile apps as well. Features like switches, sidebars, and overlays integrate dynamic functionality to apps. It came about in 2016 with the version 2.0, the immediate release occurred in Angular 4 in the following year, with updates at regular intervals. Angular 5 was released in 2017 followed by 6 in the middle of 2018, then Angular 7 in September of the same year.



The diagram of the architecture identifies eight major building blocks of Angular 2 app.

Components – are a logical code for a JS app, consisting of a class, template, and metadata. 

Modules – used in creating a particular set of instructions. Rather than coding everything in a single place, you could build individual modules, which depend on the functionality. A module contains an export array, bootstrap array, and an import array as well.

Metadata – has the extra data defined for classes and is defined with a decorator.

Data binding – used for binding classes properties in the components.

Directives – a custom element of HTML. Used for extending the HTML functionality, with two directives as part of the Browser Module module.

Services – service is built to provide common functionality across various program modules. 

Templates – used for rendering the View for an app, consisting of the HTML code required for binding, rendering, and directives.

Dependency injection – used for extending module functionality during runtime.

Pros:

Yields huge performances, which is made possible by type-scripting. It offers libraries and functionalities for nested components, as well as web components support.

Cons:

It modifies a pre-existing DOM, which makes it slow and inefficient compared to React. It maintains a physical distance between the JavaScript driving an app and the HTML rendered.

Vue.js JavaScript Framework


JavavScript frameworks - Vue.js

Was introduced in 2016. It instilled the better parts of React, Angular, and Ember and put into a handy package. Vue’s learning curve was better than Angular and React.

What makes it stand out among the rest is the two-way binding, optional JSX support, Vue-cli, server-side rendering, and more. The ecosystem of the framework is composed of a view-loader as a component, library, Chrome, Vue.js devtools, Firefox, as well as a dedicated library Vuex to manage app state with the framework. Thus, it’s the better option than its counterparts for SPAs and cross-platform solutions.

You might see the Vue library as a combination of React and Angular, and somehow it’s true. It borrows the concepts of both React and Angular concepts. Layouts and logic, together with stylesheets are stored in a file. It also utilizes props objects and states, the same as React.

A reason to opt for Vue over React nonetheless is that React apps used the Redux library. As the app grows in size, building mini changes across files has the tendency to be tedious. This makes the Vue framework more favourable than others.

Pros

A collection of the best parts of the majority of frameworks. Thus, understanding the ease and deployment comes around. Very flexible, as well as facilitates a two-way communication, with a virtual DOM as well.

Cons

The downfall with Vue is its high flexibility. The high integrity makes choosing one for development hard. Most users of the Vue.js framework belong to non-native English speakers’ closed communities. The barrier in language is one of the reasons why developers are wary of using it.

React Native JavaScript Framework


JavaScript frameworks - React Native

It was a breakthrough when it comes to mobile application development. Before React, developing an Android and iOS app required various code sets. The whole deployment and coding functionality varied, and took a big toll on the expenses. 

React Native was launched by Facebook a few years back, revolutionizing the phone apps concept. You could write an app code and deploy at the same time on iOS and Android. The great success was the write once, deploy anywhere concept and React since then has been the foremost choice of native application development.

The framework takes the development of mobile apps to an all-new level, using CSS-like stylesheets, JS code, and HTML tags for lay-outing.

Pros

The concept of one framework, numerous platforms is a great React Native bonus. It has an extremely streamlined UI, and you could make apps faster with them.

Cons

The navigation is a turnoff, and transitions are not smooth either. It lacks the required custom modules for native application development. Native developers moreover are still required to accomplish the task.

Ionic JavaScript Framework


JavaScript frameworks - Ionic

It’s all about performance and nothing else. A cross-platform, and open-sourced, it’s used for developing hybrid mobile apps. A mobile HTML5 framework, it’s solely aimed at performance, using hardware acceleration. What’s great is that it does not require a third-party JS library. 

Ionic could be teamed up with Angular.js for building an interactive application. It comes with a set of its own icon set, called the Ionicons. Then it’s teamed up with reusable HTML classes for building an interactive mobile user interface. The HTML5 framework works with the help of Cordova or PhoneGap. 

Pros

A once code for all Ionic2 Concepts makes it favourable for developing an app.  Moreover, it’s open source and thus free entirely. The open source advantage of the huge developer community, as well as testers ascertain that the framework is top notch at all times. The open source benefit of a big community of developers and testers ensures that Ionic is on the top always.

Cons

Because of the code simplicity, creating an in-app navigation could be burdensome. It’s a very complicated task. The performance of the in-app is swift as the app when developed for individual devices. Because Angular.js is a must for Ionic 2, Angular.js knowledge is a critical factor in app development.

JavaScript is highly favoured among all the other programming languages. A few benefits are the following.

1. Safety. They are in continuous iteration, therefore they have a large community of members, as well as testers. 

2. Expense. Web applications cost an arm and a leg as most frameworks cost more. Most of the frameworks of JavaScript however are free of cost. This lowers the costs of web development drastically.

3. Efficiency. As earlier mentioned, the JavaScript frameworks are cutters of cost. In addition, they are also time savers, credits to the prebuilt functionalities for a faster web application development.

Conclusion

The whole website development community is extremely agile and continuously updates. Every month, a new framework is being released.  Those that are released are under constant upgrades and enhanced with the latest functions. We hope this guide helps you to choose the right JavaScript framework for you.

Author Bio:

Olivia D. is a technology observer, writer and blogger. Being a tech geek, she keeps a close watch over the industry focusing on the latest technology news and gadgets. Follow me on Twitter.

Are you using a JavaScript framework? Let us know in our latest Developer Economics survey.

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Tools

DevOps CI/CD usage trends

DevOps CI/CD usage trends

To understand DevOps CI/CD usage trends, SlashData has, over the past three and a half years, tracked the usage of continuous integration & delivery (CI/CD) tools and services among mobile, desktop and web developers. While DevOps is technically a culture rather than a set of tools, CI/CD is at the core of the collaboration process between operations and developers. These tools enable some of the most important benefits of the shift to this new culture. As can be seen in the chart below, the majority of developers are not using these tools and usage is not growing. 

While many firms in various studies have indicated that they are adopting DevOps, our data suggests that this shift in culture is not ubiquitous across organisations. Has the use of CI/CD tools reached as many developers as it can or are there certain market barriers?

CI/CD Usage

% of developers using CI/CD tools

DevOps CI/CD usage trends - CI/CD adoption trends by mobile, web and desktop developers

Profile of CI/CD users

Understanding the profile of developers using CI/CD compared to those that are not can provide more insight into why usage is not as high as one might expect. In general, developers who use CI/CD tools are professionals working for companies with larger development teams and are more experienced compared to developers not using CI/CD.

Data from our most recent survey shows that developers that are using CI/CD tools are much more likely to be professional developers than those that are not. Web developers using CI/Cd tools are 20 percentage points more likely to be professional developers compared to developers not using these tools. For mobile and desktop developers this differential is 22 and 18 percentage points respectively.

DevOps CI/CD usage trends - Profile of CI/CD users DE % of users and non-users of CI/DE who are professional developers

Our most recent survey also shows that 46% of developers using CI/CD tools work for organisations with more than 20 people involved in software development. This compares to only 32% of CI/CD non-users who work for firms with more than 20 developers. The fact that CI/CD users are less likely to work in smaller developer teams points to lower demand at small firms. This may be due to less complex development operations requiring less automation and integration of developer and IT teams.

DevOps CI/CD usage trends - Number of people involved in software development in company

58% of developers using CI/CD tools work for firms with 10 or more people involved in software development

How big are the development operations adopting CI/CD?

Developers who use CI/CD are also more experienced than developers who have not integrated CI/CD into their development process. Of web developers using CI/CD, 44% have six or more years of experience compared to just 28% of developers who are not using CI/CD. For desktop developers, we see the same trend, with 49% of these developers using CI/CD possessing six or more years of experience compared to 34% of developers who are not using CI/CD. Mobile developers using CI/CD are slightly less experienced, but the overall trend holds true, with 49% of developers using CI/CD having three or more years of experience, 17 percentage points more than those not using CI/CD.  

Experience in web development, desktop development and mobile development

As developer operations adopt DevOps culture, to improve the odds of success, developers should have an understanding of the entire development process. This may be easier for more experienced developers to manage. 

While some may struggle, other developers have fully embraced the shift to DevOps and bring a variety of skills to the table and have carved out a role as a DevOps specialist.

The DevOps Specialist

DevOps specialists play an important role in driving DevOps culture and are often evangelists. These practitioners are relatively uncommon with only 5% of developers in our survey identifying as having this job. This lack of evangelists and experts may be an important factor limiting the culture shift throughout an organisation.

Finding professionals with diverse skill sets to occupy these roles may be contributing to the low number of DevOps specialists. One of the keys to successful DevOps implementation is merging of cultures so it is important that professionals driving the process have an understanding of and empathy for how both IT and developers work. 

Developers who identify as a DevOps specialist are a diverse group and indicate that they play additional roles in organisations beyond just DevOps specialist. The majority of survey respondents identify as software developers but DevOps specialists are 8 percentage points more likely to also be a software developer compared to developers who do not identify as a DevOps specialist.

DevOps specialists are also much more likely to be architects, administrators (both data and system), engineers and testers. These skills play an important role in the implementation of DevOps. Architects are needed to automate processes, administrators are required to manage release schedules and testers and QA engineers are needed to test software as it moves through each step of the iterative development process.

What else do DevOps specialists do?

DevOps CI/CD usage trends - What else do DevOps specialists do? % of DevOps specialists in other roles vs developers that are not DevOps specialists

Digging deeper into the DevOps specialist’s skill sets we can also observe that many have more than one role beyond DevOps specialist. From the table below we can see how these developers describe themselves and how their roles overlap. Twenty-three per cent of DevOps specialists are both programmers and system administrators and 27% are programmers and architects. Having development skills and an understanding of how to manage and design systems are an important combination of skills for leading a DevOps strategy. 

DevOps specialists’ additional roles

DevOps specialists' additional roles

While DevOps is a very popular strategy already adopted by many organisations, based on the number of developers using CI/CD tools, not all developers are buying in. The DevOps culture has been slower in reaching less experienced developers and ones at smaller firms. The need for more experienced professionals with diverse skills may be a barrier to more developers benefiting from DevOps tools such as CI/CD. 

If you are interested in learning more, here is some additional reading.You can voice your opinion in our current survey to shape the next State of the Developer Nation report and contribute to future DevOps CI/CD usage trends.

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Community Languages News and Resources Platforms Tools

Current development trends in software engineering

development trends

Every year we conduct two global, independent developer surveys engaging more than 30,000 developers. We track development trends across platforms, revenues, apps, tools, languages etc. The 18th Developer Economics survey ran from November 2019 to February 2020 with more than 17,000 developers and tech-makers participating, allowing us to analyze and understand development trends on major areas such as mobile, cloud, desktop, IoT, web, augmented and virtual reality, machine learning and games. 

It’s no secret that we are data-enthusiasts. Data is in our DNA.

After each survey wave, we transform these data into graphs and insights and offer part of them as resources to our developer community. Our methodology is founded on 9 essential and non-negotiable qualities:  magnitude, impartiality, inclusivity, consistency, substantive, engagement, diligence, confidence and breadth. See more on how our methodology allows us to understand and profile developers.

Our goal is not only to help the world understand developers but also to add value to all the developers out there, by offering them the necessary insights to benchmark themselves and make smarter business decisions based on current development trends.

So let’s have a look at what our developers are saying, shall we?

Starting from some basic insights, it is important to know in which age group our respondents belong: 35% of developers worldwide are between 25 and 34 years old. The second largest demographic – almost 28%- is the young developers, aged 18 to 24 years old. 

What age group are you in?

Development trends

Just over half of our respondents reported having less than 5 years of coding experience. As our research covers both professionals and amateurs such as hobbyists and students, the experience mix makes perfect sense and is representative of the coding skills of the global developer population. We find that the young and relatively inexperienced are the first to jump into emerging sectors drawn by the hype, and they play a key role in their evolution.

How many years have you been working on software projects?

Development trends

Focusing on programming language preferences of mobile and backend developers, we find that Java is the third option for backend developers, while the most popular choice of mobile developers. The first choice of backend developers is instead Javascript with over half using it for cloud development. 

Which programming languages do you use to write code that runs on the device in your mobile apps?

development trends

Which programming languages do you use to write code that runs on the server?

development trends

When it comes to front-end frameworks or libraries for web applications most programmers use jQuery (49.7%) and Bootstrap (48%). Other frameworks our respondents stated they’re using are React (42.9%), Vue (28%) and Angular (2+) (25.2%). 

What about trends in augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR)? Almost half of the developers working on AR/VR use C#. Moreover, as is typical of a still-emerging sector, almost 60% of respondents said they are hobbyists in this field.
Last but not least game development. Developers mostly prefer to create adventure and action game apps with 44% of respondents choosing each of these. 36% create Arcade games while almost 23% choose Role Playing or Strategy games.

Which categories do your games fit in?

development trends

For more insights from our latest survey, you can check out the Developer Economics graphs dashboard. It’s also a great opportunity to benchmark yourself against the global average. 
Enjoy!

Looking for a more thorough report analysing the developer population and trends? Download our next State of the Developers Nation report 18th Edition. You will find it here.