A Look Back on What We Learned in 2018

One of our annual topics is a look back at the year we have completed.  In this episode, we cover precisely that and look at what we learned in 2018.  Ok, maybe this is what we should have learned.  In any case, this holiday special may give you some items to catch up on during your time off.

Java Is Still Growing

Microsoft has been pushing forward on C# and .NET languages.  Java is now joining that rapid change approach.  After some early rapid development (pre version 6) it stabilized for a few years.  However, it is now getting on a track where a lot of changes have come in the last year and are planned in the upcoming months and years.

The JavaScript Libraries Competition May Have a Winner

When you look at what developers use and what they prefer to use, you will often see the wave of the future.  The React Javascript library appears to have hit that sweet spot.  A lot of developers are using it, and they seem to like it.  This means that you should add it to your list of skills if you want to stay relevant in that sort of development.   The battle is not over, but the best money is on React at this time.

IoT Is Here To Stay

Everything from speakers to coffee makers to electric razors is connecting to the Internet.  Your ability to live "off the grid" is being hampered more every day, and it may be best to just embrace this next wave of technology.  Yes, we give up some freedoms and anonymity, but the life of tomorrow seems to be here today.

BlockChain Is Sticking Around

We learned in the last year that virtual currency is still going to require some work.  The underlying blockchain technology is not.  There has been a lot of stabilization in this area, and it is maturing quickly.  The idea of security and verifiable transaction history is valuable to many lines of business.  We have seen the maturity of this technology in 2018 and should expect more to come.

Security is a Thing

The news of security breaches in 2018 cannot have any of us feeling safe.  We have been punched in the face with the idea that security of our data is essential.  I do not know if this will cure the heavy use of simple passwords like "password," but it cannot hurt.  Security in 2018 became a concern on the radar of far more people including a lot that are not in the technology business.

2018 is almost over and was a year full of advances.  I hope this quick look back helps set the table for what 2019 is most likely to bring.