SDLC- Stages of Software Development, types, & Best Practices

Written by Amal Samir

Amal is a Computer Systems Engineer. Currently working in the sales team providing the best experience and the best solutions to the customers. Amal believes that Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks and having fun.


The software program improvement lifestyles cycle (SDLC) is a method used for structuring any software program system, from initiation via to implementation. Increased demand in the call for software programs to satisfy consumer needs with much less value and quicker delivery has put stress on organizations to stay relevant. Companies need to hop on the trend wagon and build software correctly to transform their business by following proper engineering processes. 

 Step 1

Requirement analysis is the primary step in the software development life cycle (SDLC). This step entails gathering all of the customer's information. This covers the customer's expectations. It's important to know the product, who the target audience is, and why it's designed.

After step one, the requirements gathered are analyzed. 

An assessment of the creation's feasibility is made. Any remaining uncertainty is addressed. The SRS (Software Requirement Specification) is generated after the requirement has been clearly understood and analysis has been completed. Both software developers and customers will benefit from this paper. For the sake of convenience, all parties should refer to it.

Five different SDLC stages are:-

1. Planning and analysis

2. Designing the product architecture

3. Developing and coding

4. Testing

5. Maintenance

 

1. Planning and analysis

Planning is the fundamental phase.

A market analyst, industry specialist, and project manager compile and evaluate business requirements. To create the business requirements paper, the business analyst connects with stakeholders. They also create use cases, which they discuss with the project team. 

The requirements review is used to ensure consistency, determine technological viability, and identify possible risks that must be addressed in order for the program to function.

 

2. Designing the product architecture

Lead developers and technical architects build the initial high-level design plan for the program and framework during the design process. This involves delivering the specifications for the Design Document Specification (DDS). This document outlines the database tables that will be introduced, the new transactions that will be identified, the security processes that will be implemented, as well as the hardware and system specifications.

 

3. Developing and coding

 In this phase important database is created with important information. Project requirements define the programming language. Then the developers create the interface as per the coding guidelines and conduct unit testing. For developers, this is a crucial stage. They must be open-minded to changes introduced by business analysts at this stage.

 

4. Testing

Testers check the software against the specifications to ensure that it addresses and solves the problems identified during the planning process. All evaluations, including unit testing, integration testing, system testing, acceptance testing, and non-functional testing, are performed as functional testing.

 

5. Maintenance

The system is in maintenance mode in a post-production when it is in a live software environment. Issues will arise regardless of the number of users, the complexity of the program, or the thoroughness of the QA testing. That's the essence of software when it comes to data management, integration, security, and real-world application. It's important to have access to competent, dependable support services, as well as routine maintenance and keeping current on updates.

 

SDLC Types Explained

 

1. Waterfall

The Waterfall SDLC model is the most popular development process. The project spills over into the next stage as each process is completed. This is a tried-and-true strategy that works. The Waterfall model has the advantage of allowing each step to be tested for consistency and viability before moving on to the next. It is, however, restricted in speed since one step must end before the next can begin.

 

2. Agile

This method is designed to keep the customer's needs first. This approach places a heavy emphasis on the user's feedback and experience. This eliminates many of the issues with older software that was arcane and difficult to use. It also allows the app to react quickly to customer feedback. Agile aims to adapt to a changing market by releasing software cycles rapidly. This necessitates a well-coordinated team with outstanding communication skills. By relying too heavily on consumer input, it can also lead to a project going off track.

 

3. Iterative

Developers use the iterative development model to rapidly-produce a simple version of software. Then, in small steps, they evaluate and develop the submission (or iterations). This method is most often used in extremely broad applications. It can easily get an application up and running to fulfill a business requirement. However, this method has the potential to rapidly outgrow its reach, resulting in the use of unplanned resources.

 

4. DevOps

The DevOps protection model brings operations – the people who use the applications – into the development process. This, like Agile, aims to make the software more usable and relevant. The input from real app users on the design and implementation phases is a major benefit of this model. One disadvantage is that it necessitates constructive contact and cooperation. Sections of the production phase can be automated to offset the extra costs. 

 

SDLC enables you to have a clear view over what is happening on the development front and where can the process be improved. 

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