Top 10 Software Development Stories of 2024Top 10 Software Development Stories of 2024

ChatGPT was barely a month old at the start of 2024, but it and similar AI tools still played a significant role in shaping software development in the past year. However, numerous other developments also influenced software development.

From GitHub's latest developer trends and the rise of AI tools to strategies for securing large language models and embracing open source innovation, ITPro Today's top 10 software development stories of 2024 explore key developments and practical advice for developers.

1. GitHub Innovation Graph Reveals Current Developer Trends

GitHub's updated Innovation Graph, which tracks global developer activity, now offers four years of detailed insights into developer trends, such as the growing popularity of GitHub and AI. Check out this article for more developer trends.

The Ins and Outs of GitHub: A Beginner's Guide to GitHub

2. Why Developers Should Replace Traditional Workstation with a Cloud Desktop

Developers have traditionally purchased high-end machines to serve as "development boxes"— PCs or laptops that serve as workstations for software development. However, cloud desktops may be a better choice for software developers. This article explains why.

3. One Year In: How Has ChatGPT Impacted Software Development?

Related:6 Software Development Trends to Watch in 2025

In 2023, ChatGPT made a significant impact across various domains. So it only made sense for us to start 2024 with a look back at how it affected software development in its first full year of use. While ChatGPT proved valuable in aiding developers in 2023 — as well as in 2024 — it hasn't rendered human coders obsolete. Read this article for more insight about how ChatGPT has changed work for coders.

ChatGPT Basics: How ChatGPT Works and Best Uses

4. Why Prompt Injection Is a Threat to Large Language Models

By manipulating a large language model's behavior, prompt injection attacks can give attackers unauthorized access to private information. Unfortunately, there is an infinite variety of prompts that attackers could inject into an LLM, so there's no easy way to prevent prompt injection. However, the strategies outlined in this article can help developers mitigate prompt injection vulnerabilities in LLMs and chatbots.

5. How Cybersecurity Analysts Can Boost Their Coding Skills to Advance Their Careers

While programming skills aren't strictly necessary for a career in cybersecurity, having at least basic programming knowledge can significantly accelerate the careers of cybersecurity analysts. If you are looking to advance your cybersecurity career, check out this article for tips on what to know about programming.

Related:7 Trends That Helped Shape Software Development in 2024

Cybersecurity Basics: Cybersecurity Reference Guide for IT Professionals

6. Transforming CI/CD Pipelines for AI-Assisted Coding: Strategies and Best Practices

To harness the power of AI-assisted coding at scale, development teams must update their CI/CD pipelines. This article explores how developers can enhance their CI/CD pipelines and strategies to leverage AI-powered coding tools more effectively.

AI-Assisted Coding: Pros and Cons for Developers

7. Gartner Reveals 5 Trends That Will Make Software Engineering Faster, Greener

Gartner's top five strategic technology trends for software engineering in 2024 focus on enhancing productivity and sustainability. "The ideal picture would be to use these technologies to become faster, more efficient, and at the same time more carbon-friendly, greener," said one Gartner analyst. Read on to find out what these trends are.

8. Google I/O 2024 Advances Developer Tools, AI Efforts

At Google I/O 2024, the spotlight was on AI innovation with the unveiling of advanced Gemini (Google's flagship multimodal AI model) capabilities, Project IDX for interactive AI, and the Trillium Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) silicon, alongside transformative updates to Firebase, enabling developers to seamlessly integrate AI into apps and platforms across Android, web, and cloud ecosystems. Read more on how the "Gemini Era" is ushering in a new wave of AI and developer tools.

9. Software Developer Use of AI Grows as Optimism in IT Hiring Persists

CoderPad's State of Tech Hiring survey reveals AI's growing role in tech jobs, with 67% of professionals using tools like ChatGPT and Copilot. Meanwhile, developers see soft skills taking on greater importance. This article examines which soft skills developers should focus on and what they are prioritizing when job searching.

10. Developers' Guide to Unlocking the Power of Open Source LLMs

IT expert Christopher Tozzi breaks down what open source large language models are, how they work, and when they are a better choice than proprietary ones for developers when working on generative AI applications.