WHAT IS SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT LIFE CYCLE
What is SDLC!?
The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is also known as the Application Development Life Cycle (ADLC). SDLC is for Software Development Life Cycle, and it is a method for developing software that ensures its quality and correctness. The SDLC process is designed to develop high-quality software that fulfils customer requirements. The system development should be completed within the schedule and budget constraints. SDLC is a step-by-step process that outlines how to plan, construct, and maintain software. Each phase of the SDLC life cycle includes its own set of processes and deliverables, which feed into the next.
To put it another way, SDLC is a procedure that describes the various stages of software development for delivering a high-quality product. SDLC stages encompass the entire life cycle of a software product, from conception through retirement.
Why SDLC!?
The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is an important aspect of software development. It is a methodology for developing high-quality software that includes well-defined processes. Some of the main reasons why we should adopt SDLC are because it functions as a project guide and meets the client’s objectives. It also aids in the evaluation, planning, and estimation of deliverables. It also provides a foundation for a collection of common activities. Finally, and most crucially, it assures that the client receives accurate and timely delivery.
How does SDLC work!?
The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a simple diagram that depicts each activity involved in creating a software programme. This helps to eliminate waste and improve the development process’ efficiency.
Monitoring ensures that the project stays on schedule and is a viable investment for the business. Many businesses will break down these processes into smaller chunks. Technology research, marketing research, and a cost-benefit analysis are all parts of planning. Other steps may intertwine with one another. Because developers must remedy faults that occur during testing, the Testing phase can run concurrently with the Development phase.
PHASES OF SDLC:
The software development life cycle is divided into seven stages.
Developers frequently believe that they are only affected by one of the seven stages of the system development life cycle. However, in order to perform at their best, every member of a software development team should be familiar with all levels of the SDLC.
Let’s take a look at each stage and how it relates to the overall picture.
- Planning:
Project leaders review the project’s terms during the planning phase. Calculating labour and material expenses, developing a schedule with specific deadlines, and forming the project’s teams and leadership structure are all part of this process. Stakeholder feedback can be incorporated into the planning process. Anyone who stands to benefit from the application is referred to as a stakeholder. Obtain feedback from prospective consumers, developers, subject matter experts, and sales representatives.
The scope and objective of the application should be clearly defined during planning. It charts a course and equips the team to produce software efficiently. It also establishes limits to prevent the project from expanding or diverging from its initial goal.
2. Define Requirements:
During this phase, all necessary information from the consumer is gathered in order to build a product that meets their needs. During this phase, any ambiguities must be cleared.
A meeting with the customer is scheduled with the business analyst and project manager to acquire all of the necessary information, such as what the client wants to construct, who will be the end-user, and what the product’s purpose is. Prior to developing a product, it is critical to have a thorough grasp of the product.
3. Design:
The system and software design documents are prepared in this third phase according to the requirement specification document. This aids in the definition of the overall system architecture. This design step is used as input for the model’s following phase.
During this phase, two types of design documents are created:
A) High-Level Design (HLD):
In here HLD deals with,
- Each module’s name and a brief explanation
- An overview of each module’s functionality.
- Module dependencies and interface relationships
- The key elements of database tables have been determined.
- Diagrams of the entire architecture, as well as technology specifics B) LLD (Low-Level Design):
Here LLD deals with,
- The modules’ functional logic
- Tables in the database that provide information such as type and size
- The interface in its entirety
- All forms of dependency difficulties are addressed.
- Error messages are listed below.
- Every module’s complete input and output 4. Coding:
This is where the software is really written. A small project may be created by a single developer, whereas a large project may be divided into numerous teams. During this phase, use an Access Control or Source Code Management solution. Developers can use these tools to keep track of code modifications. They also assist in ensuring that different team initiatives are compatible and that target goals are met. Instructions and explanations are appreciated by software developers. Documentation can be a structured process that includes wiring an application user guide. It can also be more casual, such as comments in source code explaining why a developer adopted a particular approach. Even organisations that seek to build simple and intuitive products might benefit from the documentation.
Many other jobs are included in the coding process. Many developers need to brush up on their abilities or collaborate with others. It’s vital to find and resolve problems and malfunctions. Waiting for test results or generating code so an application may run are common tasks that slow down the development process. SDLC can foresee these delays, allowing developers to be reassigned to other tasks.
5. Testing:
When the software is finished, it is put into the testing environment. The testing team begins testing the full system’s functionality. This is done to ensure that the entire application functions as expected by the customer.
QA and testing teams may discover flaws or defects at this phase, which they report to developers. The development team fixes the issue and sends it back to QA for another round of testing. This procedure is repeated until the program is bug-free, stable, and meets the system’s business requirements.
6. Implementation / Development:
Because it involves the actual development of the product, this phase of the SDLC usually takes the longest. The developers will work on developing a DDS-based product.
Furthermore, depending on the strength of DDS, developers will either be able to code without difficulty or would encounter difficulties along the road. They must also choose the best coding language for the type of programme they are creating.
It’s critical to remember that at this stage, our team’s communication must be effective and precise. Because our developers will need to communicate with QA testers, product managers, and project managers, this is necessary. This will assist them in creating a product that your clients will truly enjoy.
7. Operations and Maintenance:
The development cycle is practically complete at this stage. The application has been completed and is currently being utilised in the field. However, the period of operation and maintenance is still crucial. Users find flaws that were missed during testing during this phase. These issues must be addressed, which may result in new development cycles. Models like Iterative development propose extra features in future releases in addition to issue patches. A new Development Cycle can be started for each new release.
SDLC MODELS:
SDLC models are primarily divided into six categories. Each of these methods differs in some ways from the others, but they all serve the same goal: to assist teams in producing high-quality software as rapidly and cost-effectively as feasible.
A brief overview of the six most frequent SDLC approaches may assist you in determining which is appropriate for your team:
- The Waterfall SDLC model:
The Waterfall SDLC model is the most common development method. The project overflows over into the following step once each phase is completed. This is a tried-and-true strategy that works. The Waterfall model has the advantage of allowing each step to be examined for continuity and feasibility before going on to the next. It is, however, limited in pace because one phase must end before the next can begin.
2. AGILE model:
Developers created the AGILE model to prioritize client needs. This strategy places a heavy emphasis on the user’s input and experience. This eliminates many of the issues with prior programs that were obscure and difficult to use. It also allows the program to respond quickly to customer comments. Agile aims to respond to a changing market by fast releasing software cycles. This necessitates a well-coordinated staff with outstanding communication skills. By depending too much on user feedback, it can potentially lead to a project straying off track.
3. Lean model:
The Lean software development paradigm is based on lean manufacturing principles and techniques. Eliminate waste, magnify learning, decide as late as possible, deliver as quickly as feasible, empower the team, build integrity in, and view the entire are the seven Lean principles (in this sequence). There is no place for multitasking in the Lean process because it is all about focusing on what has to be done at the time. Project teams are also looking for ways to save money at every stage of the SDLC process, from eliminating superfluous meetings to decreasing documentation.
4. The V-Model:
The phases of testing and development are planned in simultaneously in this form of SDLC architecture. So, on one hand, there are SDLC verification phases, and on the other hand, there are SDLC validation phases. The V-Model joins during the Coding process.
5. Spiral Model:
The spiral model is a process model that is driven by risk. This SDLC testing model assists the team in incorporating elements from one or more process models, such as waterfall, incremental, waterfall, and so on. This methodology combines the best aspects of both the prototyping and waterfall models. Rapid prototyping and concurrent design and development activities are combined in the spiral process.
(Image reference: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/software-engineering-spiral-model/)
6. Big bang model:
With no or very little planning, the big bang model focuses on all forms of resources in software development and coding. When the needs arrive, they are comprehended and implemented. This paradigm is best suited for small projects with a small development team that collaborates. It’s also valuable for software development initiatives in academia. It’s a good model to use when the requirements aren’t understood or the final release date isn’t known.
Advantages and Disadvantages of SDLC:
If you pay attention to the steps of the software development life cycle process, you’ll probably end up with a fantastic result. Your programmers will design software that your users will enthusiastically discuss and recommend to others.
Because your team’s programmers will have access to detailed documentation, they will be able to work more efficiently (DDS and SRS docs). They’ll get input from product managers and stakeholders as well. Everyone will have the same understanding of the situation. As a result, you’ll be able to create a product that, in the vast majority of circumstances, outperforms the competition. so considering all of these there are some of the advantages and disadvantages in this SDLC model which are mentioned below,
Advantages:
- The SDLC is complemented by the strictest managerial oversight and documentation.
- Developers know what they should build and why they should develop it.
- Everyone in the group has a strategy for reaching specific objectives.
- Everyone is aware of the associated expenses and resources.
Disadvantages:
- The creation of documentation is both costly and time-consuming.
- User input can be limited at times.
- The SDLC’s advantages are only realised if the team sticks to the plan.
- Changes in requirements are not tolerated.
Issues with SDLC and how to avoid them:
At the best of times, completing a project is difficult, but when you add tough software development to the mix, things may quickly spiral out of control. Pitfalls, ranging from accurately time-scoping development stages to latent stakeholder apathy, appear out of nowhere. While it’s all too easy for project managers to fall prey to these five typical issues in the software development life cycle, identifying them can assist improve management practises and streamline future software development projects. In the end, a pain-free project means cheaper expenses, a better product, and less difficulty for the project team.
The 5 typical issues in SDLC are,
1 – Planning timeframes.
2 – Prototyping too infrequently.
3 – Failing to anticipate problems.
4 – Failing to allocate tasks properly.
5 – Failing to engage stakeholders.
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Conclusion:
In this blog, I’ve attempted to give you with a detailed guide to the SDLC stages and models. For the project to be completed successfully, it must follow an appropriate life cycle.
It is crucial to select the appropriate SDLC technique for every type of software development. For example, at Cadabra Studio, we embrace agile software development for a variety of reasons. If you make the wrong decision, the entire process will be slowed down, and the project may become unrecoverable. when ever you need help knowing more regarding fixing any system you can always contact the customer friendly expert team, Computer Repair Onsite (CROS)” from their website here.
