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An Overview of Software Development

Software development is the procedure by which an organization, group, or individual devices and actualizes a plan to create a new software program. This procedure can likewise be connected to an already existing software or to make another version of that product, however this is normally an abbreviated adaptation of the procedure unless the new software is not the same as the old one. Numerous steps are involved in this process, starting with understanding what is required from programming, building up an arrangement for making it, composing the code, and bug testing preceding dispatch. Software development can be a process that includes anything from a solitary developer to many developers. Click here to find out more about software development.

The software development process is a general term describing the overall process of developing a software product. Sometimes referred to as the software lifecycle, this process may be used for the implementation of a single application or an extensive ERP system.

Companies often select a development process that fits their personnel and resources. Several development process methods are in existence, and a growing body of software development standardizing organizations are currently implementing and rating different methods.

A software development methodology or system development methodology in software engineering is a framework that is used to structure, plan, and control the process of developing an information system.

The following methodologies are used:

  • Agile Software Development
  • Crystal Methods
  • Dynamic Systems Development Model (DSDM)
  • Extreme Programming (XP)
  • Feature Driven Development (FDD)
  • Joint Application Development (JAD)
  • Lean Development (LD)
  • Rapid Application Development (RAD)
  • Rational Unified Process (RUP)
  • Scrum
  • Spiral
  • Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
  • Waterfall (a.k.a. Traditional)

Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a process used by the software industry to design, develop and test high quality software. The SDLC aims to produce a high-quality software that meets or exceeds customer expectations, reaches completion within times and cost estimates. It consists of a detailed plan describing how to develop, maintain, replace and alter or enhance specific software. The life cycle defines a methodology for improving the quality of software and the overall development process.

An Overview of Software Development - 1

A typical Software Development Life Cycle consists of the following stages −

  • Planning and Requirement Analysis

Requirement analysis is performed with inputs from the customer, the sales department, market surveys and domain experts in the industry. This information is then used to plan the basic project approach and to conduct product feasibility study in the economical, operational and technical areas.

  • Defining Requirements

Once the requirement analysis is done the next step is to clearly define and document the product requirements and get them approved from the customer or the market analysts.

  • Designing the Product Architecture

Based on the requirements specified, usually more than one design approach for the product architecture is proposed and documented in a Design Document Specification.

  • Building or Developing the Product

In this stage of SDLC the actual development starts, and the product is built. The programming code is generated as per DDS during this stage.

  • Testing the Product

This stage refers to the testing only stage of the product where product defects are reported, tracked, fixed and retested, until the product reaches the quality standards defined.

  • Deployment in the Market and Maintenance

Once the product is tested and ready to be deployed it is released formally in the appropriate market.