{"id":15562,"date":"2022-11-28T07:00:33","date_gmt":"2022-11-28T15:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.codingdojo.com\/blog\/?p=15562"},"modified":"2022-11-28T08:04:20","modified_gmt":"2022-11-28T16:04:20","slug":"software-development-lifecycle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.codingdojo.com\/blog\/software-development-lifecycle","title":{"rendered":"The Guide to Software Development Lifecycle"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

The software development life cycle (SDLC) is the step-by-step process of creating new software. Software engineers and developers<\/a> use life cycle models to map the phases of software development, ensuring the process is efficient and cost-effective. This article will discuss each step of the SDLC in-depth and describe different commonly-used models.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

What is the Software Development Life Cycle?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The software development life cycle spans the development of new software from the initial planning stage all the way through implementation and long-term maintenance. It\u2019s a mapping tool that aids software developers as they create new software.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Different SDLC methodologies will be best suited to different types of projects. Each model emphasizes the different benefits of SDLC.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Why is SDLC Important?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Software is most commonly developed by teams of engineers and developers. It\u2019s critical that each individual working on the project follows the same process. Without this consistency, it would be near impossible to develop successful software and get it to the client on time.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

SDLC gives each project an individualized framework to work within. It keeps the entire development team on the same page so that the process remains orderly and efficient and results in high-quality, low-cost software products.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

7 Phases of the Software Development Life Cycle<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

There are seven software development life cycle phases that are followed in each of the different software development life cycle models. Each phase serves a distinct role and together they provide a comprehensive programming framework<\/a> for efficient software development.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

There are prerequisites that must be met before each phase can be started or finished. These are known as entry points and exit points. SDLC phases must be followed in sequential order by everyone on the team to ensure that the software is completed accurately, cost-effectively, and by the client\u2019s deadline.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

1. Planning and Requirement Analysis<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The planning and requirement analysis phase is the first step in software development. This is when top team members gather information about the software to be developed. They talk to the client to learn the intentions of the project and then identify potential risks, issues, and opportunities.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Team members often get input from multiple stakeholders and industry experts. In this phase, the team determines what costs and resources will be required to complete the project.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

2. Define Requirements<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Once the requirement analysis is completed, the requirements of the software program are documented in a Software Requirement Specification document. They must be accepted by the stakeholders before the development team can begin the design process.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

3. Design and Prototyping<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

During this phase, all of the information gathered in the previous two steps comes together as the team begins designing the architecture for the software. Multiple designs may be presented so the team can decide on the best one to move forward with.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

4. Software Development<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

This phase is the longest of all the SDLC phases. It\u2019s where developers begin coding and bringing the project to life. You can do this using a variety of tools such as compilers, interpreters, and debuggers. The coding language that you use will depend on the requirements of the software.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

5. Software Testing<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Once the software development is complete it needs to be tested to ensure it satisfies the requirements that were identified in earlier phases. Testing is usually completed by quality assurance and software testing teams. They check that there are no defects in the code and that the software runs as expected.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If any defects are found during testing, the code is sent back to the development team to be fixed. This phase continues until all errors are remedied.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

6. Software Deployment<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

During the deployment phase, the software is delivered to the client and put into use.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

7. Operations and Maintenance<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Once the software is deployed, the work is not over. Issues are likely to arise that were not detected during the testing phase. During the ongoing maintenance phase, issues that come up are fixed through software upgrades and patches. New features may also be added as technology advances.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Models of the Software Development Life Cycle<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Different software development methodologies<\/a> are used for different types of projects. While they each follow the same basic steps, the steps are put into practice differently across different models. Here is a look at seven of the most commonly used models, including the benefits and disadvantages of each.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

1. The Agile Model<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The agile model is aptly named, as it works very well for projects that have changing requirements. It implements the SDLC phases in a circular structure that allows for flexibility.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Benefits<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n