The Software Development Life Cycle commonly known as SDLC is a process of developing software. It aids various teams involved in the process of software development, as well as their construction, testing and subsequent support.
Scholars examine the way to improve the process of creating the software. They are designing innovative approaches for establishing the layout, construction and validation of software. This is their primary goal: a shortened timeline and a reliable product.
To describe the context let’s describe the SDLC as a recipe for creating software. First, you select what you would like to cook. Then, you create the dish or visualize the dish (the software design). After that, you prepare the meal (the development phase). Food testing follows after that, as you need to sample the food to know if it is good or not. After preparing it (the deployment phase) you ensure that people consume it. Lastly they monitor it to ensure that it does not mold or get spoiled (the maintenance phase).
Why is Software development life cycle important?
Software development management is quite complex because of shifting needs, software and technological advancements and integration with other divisions. SDLC is a management framework that is mainly prescriptive and comes with defined tangible products for every phase of the software development process. Thus, it eliminates situations when some of the stakeholders have different goals and requirements for the software development, and it also clearly determines the way to reach these goals.
Here are some benefits of Software development life cycle
- Heightened transparency of the development process for all stakeholders;
- Accurate and timely preparation of cost estimates, construction planning and scheduling
- optimized management of risks and the costs associated with them
- Consequent software delivery and improved customer satisfaction
How does Software development life cycle work?
Software development Planning
Requirement Gathering defines software’s function, users and functionalities whereas Feasibility Study evaluates the project’s technical & financial feasibility.Project Planning prepares the schedule of the project, resources required, & the risk factor associated with the project.
Design
System Design identifies all the hardware and software components of the system in question whereas Software Design defines documentation of various elements of the software in question, especially as regards its modules, interfaces, and data storage methods.
Software development life cycle
Coding: Program the desired application according to design requirements, perform unit testing to see whether any particular component will run properly.
Testing of Software development life cycle
Integration Testing combines different components and tests their interactions.System testing: The need to test all the systems helps meet the requirements that may be expected of the system. User Acceptance Testing (UAT): End-users are useful at this stage to run the software in a real environment to detect any issue.
Deployment
We outline how, when, and where the Release will be made in the Release Planning. We deploy the software on the system and set it up in the Deployment phase.
Maintenance
Developers fix bugs when there are problems or defects with software. They provide updates with new versions of software offering more features or optimization. Finally, developers offer support by helping users with the software.
How does SDLC compare with other lifecycle management methodologies?
Software development life cycle
SDLC can also mean systems development life cycle- the framework that organizations employ when designing an IT system. Several hardware and software parts comprise the system, through which complicated functions are performed.
SDLC compared to the characteristics of the systems development lifecycle.
The SDLC only deals with the creation and the testing of the software components. On the other, system development is a more generic process of configuring the software systems, the hardware, the human resources and all the processes that may characterize the system. It can consist of such work as organizational training and change management policies – things that are not related to software development.
Business application lifecycle
ALM is the process of developing, maintaining, and sustaining an application right from its conception until it is deleted. They enhance every lifecycle process, tool, and person involved in developing ideas, designing software, testing, manufacturing, supporting, and, finally, obsolescing.
SDLC compared to ALM
The SDLC explains the application development phase in detail. It is a part of ALM. ALM is not restricted to the SDLC but encapsulates the whole life cycle of the application and goes even beyond. SDLC in ALM can be multiple in the lifetime of an application.
Popular Software development life cycle Models
- Waterfall model
- Incremental Model
- V-Model
- Big-Bang Model
- Agile Model
Waterfall model
The waterfall model is an extremely old methodology to go about building software. Once you complete one step, you only proceed to the next without doing any of the steps at the same time. If the first step is less efficient then it brings a halt to the entire system. This model also requires many documents and can not be changed quickly with new ideas.
Incremental Model
The incremental model divides the project into short phases, so that each phase works on the input of the following phase. We subdivide all parts into the design, build, and test phases. Every single part comes out one at a time; with every release, there are more features. That way you can control risk and deliver software out to the market more quickly.
V-Model
The V-Model interlinks Verification and Validation. We code and test in parallel. The QA team starts early, avoiding delays. We use the V-Model when requirements are fixed and well-understood to minimize test cycle revisions.
Big-Bang Model
The Big Bang model is a quick and simple way to build software. You don’t plan much and just start coding. It’s good for small projects, but it can be risky for bigger ones because you don’t have a clear plan.
Agile Model
Therefore, Agile is a way of developing software that can easily change. Integrated teams accomplish a popular model of work and delivery of small parts of the software. They communicate often in written language and their goal is to make the software functional rather than on paper.
Conclusion
We use a clearly defined Software Development Life Cycle process when it is useful to separate the work in phases between the development teams. As stated earlier every phase; planning, design, development, testing, deployment and maintenance all contributes to the achievement of a functional product. Teams utilize the SDLC in order to maintain the workflow, minimize the amount of potential risks, and enhance the quality of the end product as well as customer satisfaction with it. The Waterfall model is sequential, Agile is more iterative, and Incremental is progressive with more focus on the project requirements. In conclusion, SDLC is to provide a framework in developing, implementing and maintaining the software to meet the user’s requirement and mark norm.
