Vanta Logo
SPONSOR
Automate SOC 2 & ISO 27001 compliance with Vanta. Get $1,000 off.
Archived
Published
4 min read

Trevor I. Lasn

Staff Software Engineer, Engineering Manager

Programming Trends to Watch in 2020 and Beyond

Here are my bets on the programming trends

While I can’t predict the future with certainty, I can make some educated guesses about what might happen. Here’s what I think could shape the programming landscape in 2020 and beyond.

Rust Will Go Mainstream

Rust is a systems programming language that’s designed for safety, especially when it comes to handling multiple tasks at once. It’s similar to C++ but offers better memory safety without sacrificing performance.

Over the past few years, Rust has seen steady growth. I believe 2020 is the year Rust becomes mainstream. What does that mean? Schools might start teaching Rust, leading to a new generation of Rust developers. With big projects like Facebook’s Libra using Rust, we’re about to see what this language can really do.

If you’re thinking about learning a new language, Rust is a great choice. It has a strong, active community and is well-suited for modern development needs.

GraphQL Adoption Will Keep Growing

As our apps get more complex, so do our data needs. That’s where GraphQL comes in. Unlike traditional REST APIs, which require multiple requests to different URLs, GraphQL allows you to get all the data your app needs in a single request.

GraphQL is already used by teams of all sizes for mobile apps, websites, and APIs. I expect its adoption to continue growing in 2020. If you haven’t tried it yet, now is a great time to start learning.

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) Are Here to Stay

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) combine the best features of web and mobile apps. They’re fast, reliable, and can work offline. With more web developers out there than native app developers, I believe we’ll see a surge in PWAs as companies realize they can repurpose their web teams to build them.

It might take some time for bigger companies to fully adopt PWAs, but the trend is clear. Writing a single cross-compatible PWA is often more efficient and cost-effective than developing separate native apps for different platforms. If you’re interested in PWAs, now is the perfect time to start learning more.

WebAssembly Will Gain More Traction

WebAssembly (Wasm) is a binary format that allows code written in languages like C, C++, and Rust to run in the browser. This can bring significant performance improvements to web applications by enabling the use of low-level libraries.

As data demands grow, performance becomes increasingly important. I expect to see more companies adopting WebAssembly in 2020, especially for performance-critical applications. If you work with web technologies, keep an eye on WebAssembly—it might just be the key to unlocking new possibilities.

React Will Remain King

React is the most popular JavaScript library for front-end development, and for good reason. It’s fun, easy to use, and has a huge community. While other frameworks like Vue and Angular are also fantastic, React’s simplicity and flexibility make it a favorite among developers.

In 2020, React will continue to be a dominant force in front-end development. Whether you’re building new projects or maintaining existing ones, React is a solid choice that will keep you productive.

Always Bet on JavaScript

The 2010s were the decade of JavaScript, and the language shows no signs of slowing down. JavaScript is at the heart of major tech companies like Netflix, Facebook, and Google. It powers almost every website you visit, and new features are constantly being added to the language.

If you’re a JavaScript developer, take pride in your work. The job market is strong, salaries are rising, and the community is as vibrant as ever. If you’re new to JavaScript, now is a great time to start learning. There are plenty of resources available, and the demand for JavaScript skills is only going to increase.

Conclusion

2020 is shaping up to be an exciting year for programming. Whether you’re looking to learn a new language like Rust, adopt new technologies like GraphQL and WebAssembly, or continue mastering JavaScript and React, there’s no shortage of opportunities.

Stay curious, keep learning, and embrace the changes that come your way. The future is full of possibilities, and as developers, we have the power to shape it.

If you found this article helpful, you might enjoy my free newsletter. I share developer tips and insights to help you grow your skills and career.


More Articles You Might Enjoy

If you enjoyed this article, you might find these related pieces interesting as well. If you like what I have to say, please check out the sponsors who are supporting me. Much appreciated!

Webdev
6 min read

Micro Frontends: The LEGO Approach to Web Development

Explore the concept of micro frontends in web development, understand their benefits, and learn when this architectural approach is most effective for building scalable applications.

Oct 2, 2024
Read article
Webdev
4 min read

Understanding Vue's Suspense

How the Suspense component manages async dependencies and improves loading states in Vue apps

Aug 23, 2024
Read article
Webdev
6 min read

Inside the CSS Engine: CSSOM Explained

A deep dive into how browsers parse and manipulate CSS, its impact on web performance, and why it matters

Oct 25, 2024
Read article
Webdev
3 min read

Native Popover Element with HTML

Create overlays and dropdowns easily with the native HTML popover API

Jan 24, 2025
Read article
Webdev
3 min read

CSS Supports Nesting Now

CSS nesting is finally supported in all major browsers. Write cleaner, organized stylesheets without Sass or Less

Dec 6, 2024
Read article
Webdev
13 min read

10 Essential Terminal Commands Every Developer Should Know

List of useful Unix terminal commands to boost your productivity. Here are some of my favorites.

Aug 21, 2024
Read article
Webdev
4 min read

Explicit is better than implicit

Clarity is key: being explicit makes your code more readable and maintainable.

Sep 4, 2024
Read article
Webdev
4 min read

LH and RLH: The CSS Units That Make Vertical Spacing Easy

Exploring new CSS line-height units that eliminate guesswork from vertical rhythm

Dec 3, 2024
Read article
Webdev
4 min read

Self-Taught Developer's Guide to Thriving in Tech

How to turn your non-traditional background into your biggest asset

Sep 28, 2024
Read article

This article was originally published on https://www.trevorlasn.com/blog/2020-programming-trend-predictions. It was written by a human and polished using grammar tools for clarity.