What will change in programming in the following year? What should one pay more attention to in order to kickstart a career in most promising programming fields? This article would help you to find out what’s going on in programming as well as discover the latest trends in the IT field in general.
The only thing you can be completely sure of is that this industry is full of changes: there are more and more talks about machine learning, artificial intelligence, chatbots, IoT and how these technologies are used on various projects among different industries.
1. Clean Code and Technical Documentation Is a Must
This is rather a serious issue because while the number of devs is constantly increasing, it does not mean that the share of highly skilled specialists is increasing. On the contrary, careers in programming attract a lot of newbies to this field but most of them never overcome the junior level.
Regardless of what programming languages you study, whether your goal is to master Python or become a skilled Android app developer, you need to learn how to write clean code. A clean and easy-to-maintain code that other developers have no difficulty in understanding, which can be easily maintained and filled with new functionality, is the key to success.
How to define a clean code? Although the exact definition depends on who is asking, one of the StackOverflow users offers the following checklist:
Be accessible to understanding.
Easy to modify.
Be easy to test.
Work properly.
Having the knowledge and experience to write code with comments that your colleagues can understand, you can get into the field of specialists to work on more complicated, interesting and better-sponsored projects.
2. JavaScript Keeps Growing in Popularity
JavaScript still holds the first position as the most popular programming language in 2018, according to Statista. The popularity of JavaScript is more likely to increase even further, as it’s the best choice for interactive web pages and the only programming language supported by all major browsers.
While JavaScript is involved in creating the web interface, it also became the best choice for efficient server-side development through Node.js, an open source JS-based environment. We can say that JavaScript in tandem with Node.js opens up new horizons for developers with a view to development in the coming year. JS is also considered to be one of the best languages for ML (machine learning).
3. Functional Programming Is Back!
Functional programming is not a brand new term, but it makes a serious return in 2018. Not a surprise, because in 2017 it has already become one of the largest development trends in programming.
Currently, parallel data processing and work with large data streams or so-called Big Data brings up a lot of issues. By using different streams you can process different data at the same time and, as a result, get the desired result in a split second, which is very critical in the real world. Also, do not forget about decentralized (distributed) computing like blockchain-based technologies and others. This is exactly when the functional code is best suited due to all the principles of functional programming (such as pure functions, for example). The use of all the basic techniques of FP facilitates parallel code execution and support.
In addition, if earlier functional programming was used only for solving specific problems, now it is used even on classical projects. From which we can safely conclude: large IT companies do not have to doubt about the use of functional programming. Although functional programming is certainly advanced technology, it includes languages such as Haskell, Scala, and Clojure
4. Material Design Skills Are in Demand
Every novice web developer should learn the tactics of design and user experience (UX), especially if there is interest in this. The best UI starts with the right approach to front-end development. In the majority of cases, the same specialist is doing both design and development unless the project is too comprehensive and time is a top priority.
In the case of this kind of design, user actions are the focus. All interactions occur in the same environment, interactive objects without interruption of the sequence are transferred from one medium to another. Now Material Design is a set of user-friendly design standards and was developed back in 2014. This approach is characterized by fashionable minimalism and flexible scaling for different screen sizes.
Material Design is a story about the functionality and each UI element meaning. According to this principle, it is important to focus on the main user interface elements in order to direct the user in the right way. Material Design focuses on usability, not just good design in general. Its principles can be the best starting point for creating an application that will conquer a huge audience with its grace and convenience.
5. Backend as a Service
Web developers face increasing demand to create attractive applications for multiple platforms at once: web, Android, and iOS, standalone Backend as a Service (BaaS) is becoming an increasingly popular tool for increasing efficiency. According to CenturyLink, the main prerequisite for BaaS is the development of “API-first”: an API is first created to serve as a basis for creating various mobile platforms (iOS, Android, etc.).
As for now, it is still unclear whether BaaS will become one of the main solutions for developing cross-platform projects. It actually depends on JavaScript, web and mobile app developers.
Be Prepared for Brand New Viral Trends
You can get acquainted with Gartner’s Top 10 Predictions For IT In 2018 And Beyond to get more insights on main tech trends. Some of the last hot tech trends are described below but you can never know what trends and technologies are yet to come.
Blockchain and Cryptocurrency in the Banking Industry
Thanks to the implementation of blockchain-based cryptocurrencies, the banking industry will increase the value of the business by $1 billion before the end of 2020. The total global turnover of cryptocurrencies has grown to $155 billion in the past year. The market can grow even faster if banks would start applying new financial technologies sooner.
Gartner advises all businesses, not just banks, to take into account that crypto-money will soon reach the same level with fiat money. Analysts recommend starting the reform of payment systems, changing the approach to collecting taxes and setting prices for goods and services.
Internet of Things Is to Expand
The same Gartner’s report states that by 2020, the IoT will penetrate into 95% of electronic devices. Monitoring systems, smart sensors as well as cloud-based solutions will become more accessible and IoT will grow in popularity. For this reason, Gartner experts recommend investing in the development of IoT solutions right now. By 2022, half of the security-related expenses in the IoT segment will be used not on protection against threats, but on the elimination of consequent issues like product recalls and system recovering after hacks.
Final words
If someone tells you that programming trends are stalled, know that it’s actually vice versa. The year of 2018 has been especially significant for web developers. JavaScript, Node.js and the revival of functional programming – these are just a few promising directions in the industry. Being skilled in these technologies will help you to keep up with demand. During a serious shortage of technical talent, people with experience and relevant skills will definitely jump on the career escalator.
There are a lot of changes that can come about when a business reaches the next level. After all, growth is an essential part of any business and that means that you have to be ready for the ways that it’s going to change. One of the most common things that many business owners decide to embrace as their business grows is trying to do more in-house rather than outsourcing certain parts of their business to other companies. One of the most common ways in which you can do this is through setting up your own warehouse for things like storage of products and logistics. However, this isn’t something you should go into lightly. Running any kind of business is incredibly complicated and a warehouse is no exception. With that in mind, here are some things to focus on in order to make sure that you’re getting the most out of your warehouse.
Equipment
The kinds of equipment that you’re going to need in a warehouse are likely to be pretty different from any equipment needs that you’ve had before. You may have previously only needed computers for your employees to work on before but now you may need things like dedicated inventory software, heavy machinery for lifting and transporting stock and industrial water tank and more. The specifics are going to come down to the needs of your business but you need to be fully aware of the kinds of equipment you’re going to need if you want your warehouse to be worth the investment that you’re making in it.
Staffing
You likely already know that you’re going to need staff for your warehouse, but you also need to remember that the kinds of employees you need for a warehouse are going to be very different to those you need for an office. You’re going to need people with specific skills and if you’re not bringing in the right people then not only are you going to end up bringing the productivity of your warehouse to a grinding halt but you’re also potentially putting everyone in your warehouse at risk.
Safety procedures
A warehouse can be an extremely dangerous place and you need to make sure that you have the right procedures in place so that you can limit the level of risk as much as possible. From providing training for the use of heavy machinery to making the warehouse the safest possible space, it’s your duty to make sure that everyone in your warehouse is as safe as possible.
It’s all too easy to fall into the habit of seeing your warehouse as little more than “just another part of your business”. However, if your business has been run out of an office up until now then there’s a chance that many of the challenges involved in running any kind of warehouse are going to be very different from any that you’ve faced in the past. You need to be willing to dedicate a decent amount of your time to this part of your business rather than putting it on the back burner.
Spend a few minutes thinking about workplaces in general, and you’ll begin to think about how, well, strange they are. We often spend more time awake there than in our homes. We’re forced to mingle and interact with strangers. Even if it doesn’t happen straight away, we begin to see ourselves as part of something bigger — and, sometimes, that there are people “above us.” It’s all a little unusual! And because of the intensity of these experiences, it’s always possible that we meet an issue that causes us distress in one form or another. But what are these common workplace issues, and what should you do about them? We take a look below.
We’re all working more than ever before, and it’s beginning to take its toll. Stress and other mental health conditions are on the rise, we’re spending less time with our families, and so on — and what’s more, the long hours don’t even bring any benefits. We’re not getting paid more, for starters, and in any case, those long hours don’t equate to better or more work. If you think that your plate is always overflowing with work, then speak to your boss — keep in mind that’s better to appeal to their desire for better work, rather than your wish to have more free time.
Workplace Drama
If you put any number of people in a room together, eventually there’s going to be some sort of drama. It’s as natural as anything! Most people recognize this and can keep a distance. They don’t let themselves get wrapped up in the problems and drama of the office. Sometimes, however, they don’t have a choice — for example, like when they need to work closely with someone that they don’t like. When this happens, it’s best to keep a couple of things in mind. First, you don’t need to be friends with your colleagues, only professional. Second, very little good comes from letting your negative emotions take control.
Serious Issues
We want to think that our employer always has our best interests at heart, but this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, it’s that they just don’t care. At others, it’s just because they’re a bit absentminded, and our interests get lost in the abyss of tasks that make up running a company. Whatever the reason, it can have negative repercussions for you, especially if it’s related to workplace safety. If you’re involved in an accident at work, look at working with Robenalt Law Firm, and fighting your corner. Don’t be overly concerned about burning bridges at your work — companies get insurance for protection against these types of instances.
There’s No Growth
Sometimes, we love our colleagues, the environment, the company, the everything. But there’s still a problem — there’s no growth. At some point or another, this is something that many people run into! If you find yourself in this position, you should talk to your boss. If nothing comes from the chat, it might be time to move on!
In the business world, a poor decision can cost you your reputation, your profit, or even your whole business.
But, as surprising as it might sound, entrepreneurs have started to develop a relaxed attitude regarding the profile of professional talents and business owners. In a world where everyone is allowed to make mistakes, this positive approach encourages those who would have typically been struck off the business environment, to dig deep and uncover their full potential.
Indeed, first of all, it’s crucial to understand that you don’t have to face your issues alone. You can find support among professionals such as www.criminalandduilawofgeorgia.com, for instance. Indeed, when you’ve been accused of violating the law, you need an experienced attorney at your side to help you to reduce charges or even defend your rights as an individual. Ultimately, the consequences of an accusation can be devastating, emotionally and professionally – regardless of whether or not the charge is correct. Therefore, if you want to protect your future and ensure you can recover your career and business, you need someone who understands criminal defense and who can advocate your rights, whether you’ve been arrested on your way home after a night out or you’ve failed to respect a stop sign.
Can you use your story to help others?
Your story can change someone’s life. Gerald Ratner, for instance, famous for making an ill-timed joke about the quality of his jewelry manufacture, published in 2007 a book that reviews the aftermath of his unfortunate speech in 1991, The Rise and Fall … and Rise Again. The book gives a vital PR lesson to entrepreneurs. You too, you can use the publishing industry to share your story. You can seek advice from people in a similar position, asking them what they would need. Similarly, you can also find support from writing experts, such as the LCMPA.
Does it make you more valuable for business?
Did you know that your background can make you more relevant to the business world? Indeed, it’s not uncommon for someone who has been in trouble with the law for organized crimes to make a comeback as an entrepreneur, www.forbes.com. Why so? Because they’ve got a natural willingness to take risks and a great sense of leadership which can make the difference between a successful venture and a struggling startup. Indeed, for Defy, running an auto-theft gang requires the same skills than running a legal business. Consequently, the organization encourages ex-cons to redirect their talents.
Does it matter?
In the early 1970s, Bill Gates was arrested for running a stop sign. He was also arrested in 1977 for reckless driving. Ultimately, the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Bill Gates is not his criminal record. Instead, his success at the head of Microsoft and his philanthropist activities with Bill and Melinda Foundation are testimonies of his worth.
The idea of bouncing back is that you need to find a line of defense that protects your rights as much as possible. However, your story and experience can be the push you need to make it big. And if you don’t gain any valuable experience in the process, it’s probably that, just like for Bill Gates, it is no obstacle to your journey.
You can’t be successful in the business world if you don’t have trustworthy experts to help you reach the next level. From IT professionals to business analysts, you need to surround yourself with talented individuals who can guide your business forward. More often than not, the talent you need isn’t available in the business structure. Advisors, consultants, and lawyers are generally contracted in an advisory function to support strategic business decisions. As such, you need to be sure of their skills from Day One. For companies whose projects rely on a thorough understanding of the law, an unreliable business lawyer is the worst thing that could happen.
An attorney is a dedicated professional who works hard not only to gain the best understanding of the law but also to provide the best solution to their clients. If you discover that your legal advisor is involved in a series of lawsuits against attorneys, it might be an indication that their previous work wasn’t up to standard. Ultimately, you want someone you can trust, and that means someone who makes sure their clients are satisfied and served to the best of their knowledge.
#2. They’re never available when you need them
You never know what the day will be made of. Whether you need to protect your brand’s reputation or to manage employee issues, no business owner can survive the challenges of the day without a lawyer on speed dial. While this shouldn’t be a test of trust when you find it tricky to get in touch with your attorney – or if they don’t return your calls –, it’s probably time to look for someone else.
Your attorney helps you to ensure that your business contracts are beyond reproach. As a result, you expect their grammar and spelling to be on point. When you receive a contract that contains many mistakes, you need to be realistic about what it means. It’s not a matter of whether or not your lawyer is a talented writer. Ultimately, mistakes imply that your trusted legal advisor lacks time to check their work, which makes them less reliable. Misspelling a name or getting a data wrong could make your contract void. Is it a risk worth taking?
#4. They also work for your competitors
In a specific business sector, it can be difficult to find legal specialists who understand your market. In other words, your attorney might also work with your competitors. In most cases, it doesn’t represent a conflict of interest. However, if your lawyer represents your competitor in a matter of patent practice, you need to make sure they do things by the book – in a negotiation process that is related to the work of your competitor, the law firm needs to obtain the full consent of both clients, for instance. This could create a conflict of interest, which you could avoid by changing law firm.
#5. They lack experience
When it comes to lawyers, you want your advisor to have accumulated several years of practice before acting as an independent professional.
In the business world, finding a lawyer you can trust is detrimental to your growth strategy. Indeed, the right lawyer can provide the support you need to handle client, employee, and market issues effectively. Therefore, it’s vital for business owners to figure out very early in their legal relationship whether they’ve found the best attorney for their situation.
The main idea in a merger is to bring two entities together to create a more competitive and competent company. While there are plenty of excellent reasons behind a merger, more often than not, businesses that choose to merge do it in an attempt to combine force and secure their collective competitive edge against big players on the market. On paper, the addition of skills and expertise can be hugely appealing. It greatly outweighs other competitors on the market, and it can also help the new merger to reach out to a broader audience group – in theory, you add up your customers and demographics together.
But, that’s the theory. In practice, you can’t combine teams like two pieces of a Lego game. You need to create a path toward collective teamwork if you want the merger to be a success. How do you best get teams that don’t know each other to communicate and perform like one?
Merging two teams with different customer bases doesn’t happen overnight. Your first priority should be to develop an IT solution that can ensure a smooth continuation of all activities. You don’t want your merger to stumble on the ground of ineffective solutions. But, more importantly, you need to introduce a cloud system in the early stage of the merger. Indeed, your cloud should serve as a source of information bot different teams. Using real-time data sharing, you can not only keep everyone updated, but you can also support collective projects. Ultimately, the purpose is to get teams to understand how their skills and expertise fit together long before they can meet in person. The cloud provides the platform of exchange as well as the sense of real-time collaboration.
Your get-together event is key
Team building events are designed to enhance productivity and cooperation within the same company. With a merger, they also serve as a get-to-know-each-other activity. Indeed, the two companies might not share the same culture. Additionally, it can be difficult for employees to accept each other – if survival instinct kicks in, employees are more likely to battle for power rather than cooperate. But team building events can provide the platform people need to create a new cultural, professional and social understanding of their mission. Activities, however, need to focus on fun and playful elements that break the ice, such as creating a sports challenge or puzzle solving games. Organizing a golf contest gives your employees plenty of time to chat and connect, for instance. You can even provide equipment for everyone – rockbottomgolf is the ideal address for affordable gear. But there are other options such as escape games or even a parkour challenge.
Don’t squeeze all the productivity out of the team
Last, but not least, don’t your new team will need time to create a routine. You can’t combine two different groups of skills and expect people to hit the ground running. On the contrary, during the first months of the merger, your employees define new processes and familiarize themselves with their surroundings. In short, you shouldn’t set high goals from the start!
When the team isn’t the point of focus, even the most successful M&A on paper tend to fail. You need to create a merger strategy that works for your people if you’re going to increase your business profitability.
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