Developer Trends in 2025

Summary

In this engaging discussion, Uncle Steph highlights two major developer trends for 2025: a return to simplicity in coding and a shift towards freelance and SaaS business models. He argues that developers are increasingly recognizing the benefits of using vanilla code over complex frameworks, emphasizing the ease of maintenance and deployment. Additionally, the landscape of employment is changing as many opt for freelancing or building SaaS businesses instead of traditional jobs, especially in light of recent layoffs at major companies. The video encourages developers to adapt to these trends for a more flexible and empowered work life.

Takeaways

• 😀 The top developer trends for 2025 include a return to simplicity and a rise in freelance and SaaS business building.
• 🛠️ Developers are moving towards using more vanilla code instead of relying heavily on libraries and frameworks.
• 📉 The perception of job security in large companies has diminished due to significant layoffs and changing market conditions.
• 💼 Many developers are exploring freelance work as it offers flexibility and independence, reducing reliance on single employers.
• ⚖️ Freelancing provides a way to diversify income sources, minimizing risk by working with multiple small clients.
• 🌐 Simplicity in hosting solutions is gaining traction; most web apps don't require complex infrastructures like AWS or Azure.
• 🚀 Simpler architectures and DevOps processes are becoming popular, focusing on effective results rather than excessive complexity.
• 🧪 Emphasis is shifting from writing overly optimized code to focusing on delivering functional products quickly.
• 👩‍💻 Software as a Service (SaaS) is viewed as a powerful way to generate income and has significant growth potential for developers.
• 💰 It's important for freelancers to build up savings (referred to as 'Fu money') to prepare for economic fluctuations.

Q & A

What are the top two developer trends expected in 2025?

The top two developer trends for 2025 are a return to simplicity in development and a shift towards freelance and Software as a Service (SaaS) business building instead of traditional employment.

Why is there a trend towards simplicity in development?

Developers are realizing that they may have overcomplicated their workflows with too many libraries and frameworks. This has led to a preference for simpler technologies, allowing for easier maintenance and development.

What is meant by 'return to vanilla code'?

The return to vanilla code refers to using basic coding practices without relying on extensive frameworks or libraries. Developers are recognizing that simpler implementations can be more efficient and easier to manage.

How has the perception of working for big companies changed?

The aspiration to work for large companies (often referred to as 'FANG' companies: Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Google) has diminished due to significant layoffs and the realization that job safety in these companies is not guaranteed.

What is the significance of the freelance and SaaS business trend?

More people are exploring freelance work and building SaaS businesses because they offer greater flexibility and independence compared to traditional employment, especially in light of recent job market challenges.

What are some benefits of freelancing mentioned in the video?

Freelancing provides flexibility in choosing clients, working hours, and technologies. It also allows freelancers to diversify their income sources, reducing reliance on any single employer.

What challenges are associated with starting a SaaS business?

Starting a SaaS business can be difficult due to the complexity involved in establishing the service and acquiring clients. However, once successful, it can lead to low-stress income generation.

What are some hosting solutions suggested for most web apps?

The speaker suggests that for 99.9% of web apps, simple hosting solutions such as shared hosting or private VPS are often sufficient, and there is no need for complex setups like AWS or Azure unless absolutely necessary.

How does the speaker view modern PHP in web development?

The speaker emphasizes that modern PHP (especially PHP 8) is a powerful and capable server-side programming language that is easy to use and set up, challenging the outdated perception that PHP is inferior.

What advice does the speaker give regarding code quality during initial development?

During the initial development of a project, the focus should be on getting the product out quickly and simply rather than on code purity or excessive optimization. Results and adaptability are more important for version one of a project.