The Coming Computing Environment

These first few posts will not be about Service-Oriented Computing (SOC). Instead, I will explore the motivating factors for SOC. To do this, we look to the future.

The way that software is developed and used is changing. These changes are being driven by changes to the computing environment. Here are some of the more significant changes that I see coming.

Computer per Person ratio: The computer per person ratio will increase to the point where there will be many more computers than people. Some of these computers will be used directly by people(such as a cell phone, PDA, laptop, media player, or devices yet to be invented). Other computers will simply exist in the environment performing specific functions (such as building climate control, security, or environmental monitoring).

Ubiquitous Applications: The number of computer-based applications that people will use will increase. These applications will continue to become more integrated so that computing will become ubiquitous.

Autonomous Applications: The number of autonomous applications (those that operate mostly independently from people) will continue to grow as processors proliferate. The level of integration among autonomous applications will continue to increase. These autonomous applications will also dynamically (and autonomously) accommodate the addition of new devices and applications, and the loss of decommissioned devices and applications.

Application Domains: The number of application domains will continue to grow as people continue to invent and find applications for all this computing power.

Dynamic Integration: Applications will become highly dynamic as they evolve to integrate with new applications and application domains.

Collaboration: The level of collaboration will continue to grow. Users will become the source of content and applications. Centralized systems will evolved into platforms that support this collaboration.


(Have I missed any? Please comment!)

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