Developers want more efficient software. Here’s what over 1000 GitHub users told us they need

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-23T13:08:42.034Z • Permanent link

Researchers at the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication have teamed up with GitHub, a leading platform for developers, to uncover the pressing needs of over 1,000 GitHub users. The collaboration aimed to better understand the pain points developers face when it comes to developing software that is both efficient and effective. The study's findings paint a clear picture of the industry's demands, shedding light on the challenges developers encounter and the tools they require to overcome them.

According to the research, developers are seeking more efficient software that can help reduce wasted compute, a critical issue in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. The study's findings highlight the pressing need for better tools, measurement, and practical guidance that can help developers optimize their software development workflows. Specifically, the research points to the importance of automated testing, continuous integration, and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, all of which are crucial for ensuring software efficiency and quality.

The study's data also reveal the significant impact of inefficient software development on the bottom line. According to the research, wasted compute can result in substantial financial losses for companies, with estimates suggesting that the average developer spends around 10% of their time on unnecessary computations. This translates to significant costs, with some estimates suggesting that the total cost of wasted compute could reach as high as $300 billion annually.

The findings of the study have significant implications for the Data Sources domain, where companies like GitHub, Google, and Amazon are working to develop more efficient software solutions. The research highlights the pressing need for better tools and measurement frameworks that can help developers optimize their software development workflows. This, in turn, will have a direct impact on the bottom line, with companies that adopt more efficient software development practices likely to see significant cost savings and improved competitiveness.

The study's findings also have implications for research communities, who will need to adapt their approaches to account for the changing needs of developers. Specifically, researchers will need to prioritize the development of tools and measurement frameworks that can help developers optimize their software development workflows. This may involve collaborating with industry partners, such as GitHub, to develop more effective solutions.

The study's findings also have broader implications for markets and policy environments, where companies and governments are working to promote more efficient software development practices. For example, the study's findings highlight the need for better incentives and regulations that can encourage companies to adopt more efficient software development practices. This may involve implementing policies that promote the use of open-source software, for example, or offering tax breaks for companies that adopt more efficient software development practices.