Application development and design
As software demands become more prevalent and complex, application development and design continues to experience a wave of changes in terms of tooling and practices. Learn about the latest in this field, including breakdowns of both established and emerging languages, as well as the key practices required for successful development efforts.
Top Stories
-
Tutorial
15 May 2025
Learn how to use concurrency in Go with this tutorial
The Go language is designed for simplicity, including its approach to concurrency. In this tutorial, learn to perform multiple tasks using goroutines, channels and synchronization. Continue Reading
-
Tip
12 May 2025
Verification vs. validation in software testing
Verification and validation are at the heart of all software testing efforts. Together, they check that software fulfills both user expectations and technical requirements. Continue Reading
-
Definition
25 Jan 2024
Chaos Monkey
Chaos Monkey is a software tool Netflix engineers developed to test the resiliency and recoverability of their Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure. Continue Reading
-
Definition
22 Jan 2024
API lifecycle management
API lifecycle management is a part of application programming interface management that supports the design, development and maintenance of APIs, including their transitioning from design and testing to a production environment. Continue Reading
-
Definition
12 Jan 2024
polyglot programming
Polyglot programming is the practice of writing code in multiple languages to capture additional functionality and efficiency not available in a single language. Continue Reading
-
Definition
11 Jan 2024
Java compiler
A Java compiler is a program that takes the text file work of a developer and compiles it into a platform-independent Java file. Continue Reading
-
Definition
05 Jan 2024
beta test
In software development, a beta test is the second phase of software testing in which a sampling of the intended audience tries out the product. Continue Reading
-
Tip
21 Dec 2023
Object-oriented vs. functional programming explained
While plenty of developers entertain the idea of adopting a functional programming model, it's important to first know exactly how it differs from the object-oriented approach. Continue Reading
-
Feature
19 Dec 2023
The 5 SOLID principles of object-oriented design explained
In this primer on SOLID, we'll examine the five principles this development ideology embodies, the practices they encourage and the reasons these concepts matter. Continue Reading
-
Definition
19 Dec 2023
Business Process Model Notation (BPMN)
Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN), also called Business Process Model and Notation, is an open standard to diagram a business process. Continue Reading
-
Definition
15 Dec 2023
business logic
In programming, business logic is the part of a software program responsible for implementing the business rules that define how data should be created, modified, transformed, communicated and in other ways managed and controlled. Continue Reading
-
Tip
15 Dec 2023
How to make a strong business case for software projects
Every software project proposal requires in-depth research into the technical aspects at play, but the business case for the project should tone down the tech talk. Continue Reading
-
Tip
12 Dec 2023
A review of 7 software architecture visualization tools
Visualization tools like Visio and Draw.io can provide a lot of benefits when it comes to software architecture design and management, but choosing the right one is important. Continue Reading
-
Definition
08 Dec 2023
hyperconverged appliance (HCI appliance)
A hyperconverged appliance (HCI appliance) is a hardware device that provides multiple data center management technologies within a single box. Continue Reading
-
Tip
07 Dec 2023
Comparing MERN vs. MEAN stacks for web app development
While MERN and MEAN stacks share many common elements, their respective use of React and Angular is a defining factor in choosing one or the other. Continue Reading
-
Answer
01 Dec 2023
11 real benefits of microservices
There's a reason why so many vendors have moved from monoliths to microservices. Here are 11 real benefits microservices bring to companies. Continue Reading
-
Tip
30 Nov 2023
Elixir vs. Clojure for functional programming at scale
While they don't have the prestige of JavaScript or Python, Elixir and Clojure are making a name for themselves when it comes to functional programming at scale. Continue Reading
-
Definition
22 Nov 2023
natural user interface (NUI)
A natural user interface -- or NUI -- is an interface that is designed to feel as natural as possible. Continue Reading
-
Tip
16 Nov 2023
What does the Python 'if name equals main' construct do?
Ever wonder what Python's if name equals main syntax does? Here we explore what it does and when to use it. Continue Reading
-
Tip
07 Nov 2023
The growing link between microservices and WebAssembly
The microservices architecture has become popular, but it runs into complexity and cost challenges. Implementing WebAssembly can alleviate those worries. Continue Reading
-
Tip
26 Oct 2023
Serverless vs. containers: Which one for microservices apps?
How do you know when microservices should run in containers vs. serverless functions? A big factor is what you plan to do with your microservices. Continue Reading
-
Tip
20 Oct 2023
Understanding the role of polymorphism in OOP
Polymorphism is used in OOP to allow developers to write more efficient code and redefine methods for derived classes; however, it could raise real-time performance issues. Continue Reading
-
Tip
19 Oct 2023
Understanding protocol buffers vs. JSON
Protocol buffers have some compelling advantages over JSON when it comes to sending data between internal services. But is it really a replacement for JSON? Continue Reading
-
Tip
17 Oct 2023
Scripting vs. programming languages: Where they differ
Choosing a programming language is often dictated by the problem the programmer wants to solve and the compute goal that a language is designed to achieve. Continue Reading
-
Definition
16 Oct 2023
decentralized application (DApp)
A decentralized application (DApp) is a type of distributed, open source software application that runs on a peer-to-peer (P2P) blockchain network rather than on a single computer. Continue Reading
-
Tip
11 Oct 2023
Kotlin vs. Scala: Which one is right for your project?
As general-purpose programming languages, both Scala and Kotlin have a lot to offer. But that doesn't mean their uses cases are the same. Continue Reading
-
Tip
29 Sep 2023
Architecting beyond microservices and monoliths
A recent architectural change tied to Amazon's Prime Video service could help enterprise application teams understand their own microservices vs. monolithic architecture choices. Continue Reading
-
Definition
27 Sep 2023
Business Process Modeling Language (BPML)
Business Process Modeling Language (BPML) is an XML standard metalanguage used to outline business processes in an easy-to-understand way. Continue Reading
-
Tip
22 Sep 2023
What to know about building microservices with ASP.NET Core
It's optimized for containerization, integrates with the cloud and works on multiple platforms. Does ASP.NET Core deserve a place in your development shop? Continue Reading
-
Tip
18 Sep 2023
3 critical stops on the back-end developer roadmap
When it comes to acquiring the skills needed to be a proficient back-end developer, there are no shortcuts. Some of the topics to know will be obvious, others might not be. Continue Reading
-
Tip
15 Sep 2023
Idempotent HTTP methods and REST
The Hypertext Transport Protocol requires all HTTP verbs to identify as idempotent or not. But what is an idempotent method, and how does idempotence apply to RESTful API design? Continue Reading
-
Tip
11 Sep 2023
Three-tier vs. microservices architecture: How to choose
The microservices approach is well suited to an app that needs a high level of modularity. When is the added complexity worth it, and how do you make that call? Continue Reading
-
Definition
30 Aug 2023
skeuomorphism
Skeuomorphism is when something is designed with extra ornamentation to make it resemble another object so it is more familiar. Continue Reading
-
Definition
30 Aug 2023
thread
A thread is, fundamentally, a clear, well-defined theme, subject, topic or focus. Continue Reading
-
Tip
25 Aug 2023
Understanding Roc: Functional and separate from the runtime
Though it's a newer programming language with a small development community, Roc is meant to be an easy-to-read language that incorporates a pure, functional programming approach. Continue Reading
-
Definition
22 Aug 2023
Unified Modeling Language (UML)
Unified Modeling Language (UML) is a standard notation for modeling real-world objects as a first step in designing an object-oriented system. Continue Reading
-
Definition
15 Aug 2023
C++
C++ is an object-oriented programming (OOP) language that is viewed by many as the best language for creating large-scale applications. C++ is a superset of the C language. Continue Reading
-
Definition
15 Aug 2023
assembler
An assembler is a computer program that takes in basic instructions and converts them into a pattern of bits that the computer's processor can use to perform basic operations. Continue Reading
-
Opinion
04 Aug 2023
Making sense of cross-platform, distributed cloud app dev
Cross-platform, distributed cloud app development methods are innovative in how they can quickly deliver code. Their adoption also adds complexity to coding and management. Continue Reading
-
Tip
31 Jul 2023
3 questions to ask in a digital twin testing scenario
Is your team prepared to capture the right data so that your digital twin testing is accurate and effective? Here's what experts say about proper test approaches. Continue Reading
-
Feature
21 Jul 2023
10 types of programming jobs to check out in 2023
Some core programming skills are more in demand than others. Learn which ones are most valuable to the jobs in today's market. Continue Reading
-
Tip
19 Jul 2023
Haskell vs. PureScript: The difference is complexity
Haskell and PureScript each provide their own unique development advantages, so how should developers choose between these two popular programming languages? Continue Reading
-
Definition
13 Jul 2023
Remote Method Invocation (RMI)
Remote Method Invocation (RMI) is an application programming interface (API) in the Java programming language and development environment. Continue Reading
-
Tip
30 Jun 2023
How to apply the open-closed principle in Java
How does the open-closed SOLID principle work in a Java program? Here we show you what this important principle means, and how to implement the open-closed principle in Java. Continue Reading
-
Tip
29 Jun 2023
5 noteworthy challenges of automotive software development
Modern cars are loaded with technology, but creating in-vehicle applications isn't always a cakewalk. Here are five unique challenges developers face with automotive software. Continue Reading
-
Definition
28 Jun 2023
loose coupling
Loose coupling is an approach to interconnecting the components in a system, network or software application so that those components, also called elements, depend on each other to the least extent practicable. Continue Reading
-
Definition
27 Jun 2023
pseudocode
Pseudocode is a detailed yet readable description of what a computer program or algorithm should do. Continue Reading
-
Definition
26 Jun 2023
git stash
Git stash is a built-in command that stores, or stashes, changes in the software development tool Git that aren't yet ready to be committed. Continue Reading
-
Definition
26 Jun 2023
WebAssembly
WebAssembly (Wasm) is a binary instruction format for compiling and executing code in a client-side web browser. Continue Reading
-
Tip
22 Jun 2023
Breaking down the cornerstone components of OOP
Object-oriented programming changed the game for those working on complex software systems. But what are the key elements that define this prominent approach to development? Continue Reading
-
Definition
21 Jun 2023
wall time
Wall time, also called real-world time, clock time, wall-clock time or -- more accurately -- elapsed real time, is the amount of time that a program or process takes to run from start to finish as measured by a person. Continue Reading
-
Definition
19 Jun 2023
polymorphism
Polymorphism is a popular concept in object-oriented programming (OOP), referring to the idea that an entity in code such as a variable, function or object can have more than one form. Continue Reading
-
Definition
19 Jun 2023
requirements analysis (requirements engineering)
Requirements analysis (requirements engineering) is the process of determining user expectations for a new or modified product. Continue Reading
-
Tip
16 Jun 2023
Microservices vs. headless architecture: A brief breakdown
Microservices and headless architectures are both techniques capable of providing flexibility and modularity, but how do you make a wise choice between them? Continue Reading
-
Definition
14 Jun 2023
Microsoft Power Apps
Power Apps is a suite of Microsoft products that enable both developers and nontechnical users to build custom applications to fulfill various business needs. Continue Reading
-
Definition
14 Jun 2023
joint application development (JAD)
Joint application development, frequently shortened to JAD, is a methodology that involves the client or end user in the design and development of a software application through a succession of collaborative workshops called JAD sessions. Continue Reading
-
Definition
12 Jun 2023
lambda
Lambda, the 11th letter of the Greek alphabet, is used as both a symbol and a concept in various fields of science, mathematics and computing. Continue Reading
-
Definition
09 Jun 2023
Korn shell (ksh)
The Korn shell (ksh) is an operating system (OS) command shell that was developed for Unix by David Korn at Bell Labs. Continue Reading
-
Tip
07 Jun 2023
How to create a smart contract using Ethereum
Solidity is a powerful language for programming and deploying smart contracts on the Ethereum network. Here's how to get started, with advice on choosing the best tools. Continue Reading
-
Tip
07 Jun 2023
9 programming languages for smart contract development
There are languages expressly for smart contract development, but you can also use general-purpose languages like C++ and Java. Here's how they differ, and advice on how to choose. Continue Reading
-
Definition
06 Jun 2023
internationalization (I18N)
Internationalization is the process of designing and building a product so that it can be easily adapted to specific languages and cultures. Continue Reading
-
Definition
01 Jun 2023
super app
A super app is a mobile or web application that combines multiple services into one platform. Continue Reading
-
Definition
19 May 2023
Google Firebase
Google Firebase is a set of cloud-based development tools that helps mobile app developers build, deploy and scale their apps. Continue Reading
-
Definition
16 May 2023
Unicode
Unicode is a universal character encoding standard that is maintained by the Unicode Consortium, a standards organization founded in 1991 for the internationalization of software and services. Continue Reading
-
Tip
12 May 2023
Python interpreter vs. IDE: What network engineers should know
When using Python for network automation, network engineers often work with interpreters and integrated development environment tools to test modules and debug code. Continue Reading
-
Definition
09 May 2023
state diagram (state machine diagram or statechart diagram)
A state diagram (also known as a state machine or statechart diagram) is an illustration of all the possible behavioral states a software system component may exhibit and the various state changes it's predicted to undergo over the course of its operations. Continue Reading
-
Definition
09 May 2023
mutual exclusion (mutex)
In computer programming, a mutual exclusion (mutex) is a program object that prevents multiple threads from accessing the same shared resource simultaneously. Continue Reading
-
Definition
05 May 2023
hamburger icon (slide drawer navigation)
A hamburger icon is a navigational symbol in user interface (UI) design. Continue Reading
-
Definition
04 May 2023
APK file (Android Package Kit file format)
An APK file (Android Package Kit file format) is the file format for applications used on the Android operating system (OS). Continue Reading
-
Definition
04 May 2023
cross-platform mobile development
Cross-platform mobile development is an approach to developing software applications that are compatible with multiple mobile operating systems (OSes) or platforms. Continue Reading
-
Definition
02 May 2023
service-oriented architecture (SOA)
Service-oriented architecture (SOA) is a software development model that makes services reusable and lets them communicate across different platforms and languages to form new applications. Continue Reading
-
Opinion
01 May 2023
How advances in GPT-4 could revolutionize app development
Although public attention has recently centered on ChatGPT, the underlying GPT-3 and GPT-4 models could be even more transformative, particularly for application developers. Continue Reading
-
Definition
25 Apr 2023
glyph
In information technology, a glyph -- from a Greek word meaning carving -- is a graphic symbol that provides the appearance or form for a character. Continue Reading
-
Tip
21 Apr 2023
A quick look at the Carbon programming language
Carbon is an experimental programming language built to stand on the shoulders of C++ -- but with a new outlook on memory safety, threading and functional programming. Continue Reading
-
Definition
17 Apr 2023
TOSCA (Topology and Orchestration Specification for Cloud Applications)
The Topology and Orchestration Specification for Cloud Applications (TOSCA) is an open source language used to describe the relationships and dependencies between services and applications that reside on a cloud computing platform. Continue Reading
-
Definition
14 Apr 2023
primitive (programming)
In computer programming, a primitive is one of a set of fundamental language elements that serve as the foundation for a programming language. Continue Reading
-
Tip
07 Apr 2023
The enduring link between Conway's Law and microservices
While Conway's Law is a decades-old concept, some would argue that the industry's rush to adopt microservices makes this take on development team structure more relevant than ever. Continue Reading
-
Definition
05 Apr 2023
object code
Source code and object code refer to the "before" and "after" versions of a computer program that is compiled (see compiler) before it is ready to run in a computer. Continue Reading
-
Tip
30 Mar 2023
How to apply the single responsibility principle in Java
How does the single responsibility model work in a Java program? Here we show you what this SOLID principle means, and how to implement the single responsibility model in Java. Continue Reading
-
Tip
30 Mar 2023
Ways to get by when Waterfall development reigns
Against all odds, the Waterfall methodology maintains a tight grip over countless numbers of software development teams. Fortunately, there are a few ways to make the most of it. Continue Reading
-
Definition
28 Mar 2023
object-relational mapping (ORM)
Object-relational mapping (ORM) is a way to align programming code with database structures. Continue Reading
-
Tip
21 Mar 2023
The fundamentals of achieving high cohesion and low coupling
It's easy to say, 'high cohesion, low coupling,' but is it as easy to put into practice? We examine some of the basics behind cohesion, coupling and the right balance between them. Continue Reading
-
Definition
16 Mar 2023
client-side framework
A client-side framework is a software development framework that focuses on executing application processes on end user devices rather than the application's own server. Continue Reading
-
Definition
14 Mar 2023
system testing
System testing, also referred to as system-level testing or system integration testing, is the process in which a quality assurance (QA) team evaluates how the various components of an application interact together in the full, integrated system or application. Continue Reading
-
Definition
09 Mar 2023
performance testing
Performance testing is a testing measure that evaluates the speed, responsiveness and stability of a computer, network, software program or device under a workload. Continue Reading
-
Definition
28 Feb 2023
native code
Native code is binary data compiled to run on a processor, such as an Intel x86-class processor. Continue Reading
-
Definition
16 Feb 2023
GraphQL
GraphQL is an open source query language that describes how a client should request information through an API. Continue Reading
-
Definition
13 Feb 2023
enterprise architecture framework
An enterprise architecture framework (or simply EA framework) is the collection of processes, templates and tools that software teams use to plan and build large, enterprise-grade application architecture systems. Continue Reading
-
Definition
09 Feb 2023
KLOC (thousands of lines of code)
KLOC (thousands of lines of code) is a traditional measure of how large a computer program is or how long or how many people it will take to write it. Continue Reading
-
Definition
06 Feb 2023
codebase (code base)
A codebase, or code base, is the complete body of source code for a software program, component or system. It includes all the source files needed to compile the software into machine code, including configuration files. Continue Reading
-
Tip
02 Feb 2023
The 10 most promising tools for Web 3.0 development
Web 3.0 doesn't exist yet, but there are many tools for developing apps for the next generation web and bridging the gap from today's Web 2.0 infrastructure. Continue Reading
-
Definition
30 Jan 2023
componentization (component-based development)
Componentization is an approach to software development that involves breaking software down into identifiable and reusable pieces that application developers can independently build and deploy. Continue Reading
-
Tip
17 Jan 2023
Rust vs. Go: A microservices-based language faceoff
Rust and Go both offer language features geared toward microservices-based development, but their relative capabilities make them a better fit for some scenarios than others. Continue Reading
-
Definition
03 Jan 2023
source code
Source code is the fundamental component of a computer program that is created by a programmer, often written in the form of functions, descriptions, definitions, calls, methods and other operational statements. Continue Reading
-
Definition
28 Dec 2022
gRPC
GRPC is a high-performance remote procedure call framework released by Google in August 2016. Continue Reading
-
Definition
16 Dec 2022
stateless app
A stateless app is an application program that does not save client data generated in one session for use in the next session with that client. Continue Reading
- Definition 13 Dec 2022
-
Tip
08 Dec 2022
A primer on core development team structure concepts
To establish the right development team size, managers must look at each member's responsibilities and communication paths, as well as know when to split teams. Continue Reading
-
Definition
06 Dec 2022
event-driven application
An event-driven application is a computer program written to respond to actions generated by a user or system. Continue Reading
-
Definition
02 Dec 2022
logical OR symbol
In mathematics, the logical OR symbol is a Boolean function that is positioned between two statements to indicate an inclusive disjunction between them. Continue Reading
-
Definition
01 Dec 2022
C# (C-Sharp)
C#, pronounced "C-sharp," is an object-oriented programming language from Microsoft that enables developers to build applications that run on the .NET platform. Continue Reading
-
Definition
30 Nov 2022
Node.js (Node)
Node.js (Node) is an open source, cross-platform runtime environment for executing JavaScript code. Continue Reading