That’s right, it’s 2021 and the world of computer science is a global beast. Despite the magnificent strides forward over the last couple of decades, there is always an expectancy to bring something new to the table and demonstrate innovation.
After all, without innovation, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Whether you’re a seasoned science pro surfing the waves, or a prospective newbie trying to gauge where things are headed, we’re here to help. Throughout this article, we will analyze some of the most interesting trends in computer science and see where things may be going over the next 5 years.
Edge Computing
You may be familiar with the cloud as that thing you back your data up with – essentially a virtual service. Cloud computing simply refers to the delivery of services through the internet – with data being stored on a central server. These services include everything from software to networking, databases, storage, and servers. Cloud computing is extremely popular amongst the business sector because it’s convenient and saves a lot of money.
Well, edge computing is the new trend set to overtake the use of cloud computing. With edge computing, everything that is sent via the cloud is sent from a location close to the end-user. By moving the source to the end-user, there are fewer latency issues to worry about. The ‘edge’ here simply refers to servers located at the edge of highly populated areas.
For those of you studying an online ms in computer science, keep an eye out for the inevitable transition from a cloud-dominated world to an edge-dominated one.
Kotlin Vs Java
Kotlin first appeared in 2011 but has only seen significant growth in searches since 2017. The idea behind Kotlin is to be a more streamlined version of Java. Therefore, the modern computer language lends itself well to Android development and JVM.
With over 7 million Java programmers in the world, and Google announcing that Kotlin is their preferred language, it’s only a matter of time before Kotlin surpasses Java to become the dominant language.
Zero Trust
Since 2018, Google searches for ‘Zero Trust’ have taken off exponentially, which likely has to do with the growing need for security.
As standard, the majority of businesses use a security framework based on passwords used for authentication. Unfortunately, traditional security frameworks work on the assumption that everybody who has access to the network can be trusted and have free usage. However, this becomes a problem when disgruntled users have access to everything a business has, and being able to leak information or delete files from the network. On average, a data breach will cost a company $3.86 million.
This is where Zero Trust comes out to play. Essentially, this relatively new model of security takes the stance that no one can be trusted inside or outside of a network. When users wish to access resources on the network, they will have to verify themselves. The company currently leading the growth of Zero Trust solutions is Cisco.
Digital Twins
In the most basic terms, a digital twin is a computer program that creates simulations based on real-world data and can predict how well a product will perform before it’s even finished. By using digital twin technology, businesses can virtually test their products before spending money on a prototype.
This technology was originally only available at the high end of the industry. However, in recent years it has gained traction amongst other sectors. The next 5 years will see the emergency of case studies that demonstrate the real-world application of digital twin technology.
Cybersecurity Demands Rocket
We’ve already mentioned the increased demand for cybersecurity. There’s no surprise that cybersecurity is a growing trend in the year 2021, with figures showing that there were at least 7.9 billion records stolen in 2019 alone.
Hack The Box, has seen a huge surge in online searches. The online platform gives users access to educational information and challenges that test penetrative skills. The company uses results from tests to inform advancement in the world of cybersecurity. Currently, there are 290,000 active users, and it’s only projected to grow in size.
Predicted trends in cybersecurity surround searches for whether credentials have been stolen. The most popular tool people use for this is ‘Have I Been Pwned’. This tool allows people to search through numerous data breaches to find out if your email has been leaked for the world to see.
Quantum Computing
Back in 2019, when Google announced its groundbreaking quantum computer, searches for quantum computing spiked. Quantum computing refers to the use of quantum mechanics to deliver computing. It has been claimed that Google’s quantum computer, developed by a team led by John Martinis, has achieved ‘quantum supremacy’ and completed a calculation that would have taken classical machines 10,000 years to complete.
As for real-world application, this area of computer science is the one to look out for. Will quantum computing be able to feasibly speed up the world of computing in the general world? Only time will tell whether the quantum computer will replace the supercomputer as the norm.
Computer science is still growing in popularity, and the world of technology is crying out for people to join the ranks. Trends in computer science in 2021 are geared towards security, with the inclusion of Zero Trust Solutions, Hack The Box, and Have I been Pwned. Further, there is a push towards streamlining computer language, which can be seen through Google’s use of Kotlin over Java. Moreover, in the world of cloud computing, there is a demand for higher speeds and less latency, which is demonstrated by the rise of edge computing. On the topic of speed, quantum computing is making significant leaps and bounds with Google’s claimed achievement of quantum supremacy. Over the next 5 years, it will be interesting to see where the world of computer science takes us, and whether the real world will see the application of these trends in end-user products.
