Understanding Software Development
Table of Content
- What is Software?
- What is software development?
- Types of Software Development
- What is SDLC (Software Development Lifecycle)
- Strategies for Software Development
- Key steps in the software development process
What is Software?
Software is a tool that directs a computer’s actions. Technically speaking, “software” refers to a collection of instructions, information, or programmes that control computers and carry out particular functions. However it is the exact opposite of hardware, which refers to the computer system’s physical components. Software encompasses all programmes, scripts, and applications that run on hardware.
Google Chrome, Gmail, Adobe Reader, Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, and many more comparable programmes that we frequently use in our everyday lives are some typical instances of the software.
What is software development?
Software development is the process computer programmers use to produce computer programs. The process, also known as the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), has several stages and provides a means of producing products that correspond to both technical and user requirements.
Software developers can use the SDLC as a global standard while creating and enhancing their computer programmes. It provides a clear framework that development teams may adhere to when designing, producing, and maintaining high-quality software. Hence the goal of the process for developing IT software is to create useful solutions within a set spending limit and delivery window.
According to Cyber Dolphins Pvt Ltd. Software development is necessary for many different reasons. The top three are as follows:
- To fulfill the unique requirements of a certain client or organization (the case with custom software)
To address a genuine issue
- For individual use (e.g., a pharmacy owner may require inventory managing and billing software.)
- The discipline of software engineering, which focuses on applying the methodical approach illustrated in the engineering paradigm to the process of software development, was prompted by the need for better quality management of the software development process.
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Types of Software Development
1. Application Development
Application development is creating a program for a computer or a group of applications for a computer to help individuals, companies, or organizations employ functions. These are the typical operating system apps that carry out customary tasks.
Languages used in application development include Python, C#, Java, C/C++, and many more.
2. Web Development
The process of creating a website for the internet is called web development. The technique of web development can be useful in creating anything from a simple static website to sophisticated web apps.
Only a web software developer can arrange the creation of hundreds of interconnected web pages required for web development. Thanks to the most recent web technologies and APIs that enable the use of plugins on a website, the web development industry is flourishing.
HTML, Javascript, PHP, Python, Ruby & Rails, ASP.NET, Django, C/C++, and many other web development technologies.
3. Mobile Development
However developing applications for mobile platforms like iPhones and Android smartphones are referred to as mobile development, sometimes known as app development or mobile app development. These programs have recently had success operating on the Windows 10 platform.
Android, Swift, Objective C, HTML5, Java, C#, Javascript, and many other mobile development technologies.
4. Data Science
Large data sets are not very beneficial until you know how to use them. The work of data scientists is necessary in this situation. The information has value for them.
The mined data is used to generate scientific applications. Data scientists make sure that the data is given in the appropriate format for use in AI applications because machines need a lot of data to learn and make their own conclusions.
Technologies for data science include MATLAB, Python, C/C++, and many others.
5. Software Tools Development
Although consumers do not use this form of software, it is essential to the software development business. Other software developers can use the coding and testing tools it produces. Hence this software helps with testing, development, and sustaining industry standards in the creation process.
Java, Python, and C++ are tools development technologies.
6. API Development
Developers create an application called an API, or application programming interface, which functions as a puzzle piece between various operating systems. They enable interaction with the tools or features that an API pertains to by any third-party developer.
Each API has the programming language of the platform or device for which it was specifically created. APIs are written for specific platforms.
7. Embedded Systems Development
The development of embedded systems is tailored to the particular operating system that your machine or device uses. The coding abilities required for embedded devices like Arduinos and Raspberry Pi are covered in this form of software development.
Embedded C, Assembler, Python, Arduino, and Java are examples of embedded system technologies.
8. Security Software Development
White hat hackers and cybersecurity professionals fight to protect businesses and their sensitive data. The organization’s cybersecurity division creates software to protect its valuable assets from theft, viruses, and hostile attacks.
9. Cloud Computing
Instead of using local servers or individual devices, cloud computing services access services over a network of remote servers. However, the software that powers cloud storage apps is created by software developers working on cloud computing technologies. Onedrive Storage, Github, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) are common examples of cloud computing software.
Technologies used in cloud computing include Java, XML, R, Erlang, Google’s Go, Clojure, and many others.
10. Backend Development or Database Development
Database development, commonly referred to as back-end development, takes place in the system’s shadows. The data is kept on the server side, often known as the back end, of the website.
The key component of back-end development is database administration. Additionally, it serves as the skeleton for businesses that store a lot of data. In the backend development process, backend engineers handle and arrange a lot of data.
Python, Java, C, C++, MySQL, dBase, and Oracle for the database are useful in backend development.
What is SDLC (Software Development Lifecycle)
The software industry uses a systematic process called the Software Development Life Cycle to plan, create, and test high-quality software. Hence producing high-quality software that meets or exceeds customer expectations and is there on schedule and within budget are the major objectives of the SDLC.
The activities that make up the SDLC are as follows:
Planning:
The most important component of software development is carried out by the organization’s top-performing and most seasoned software developers. The client’s requirements are gathered, examined, and a scope document is produced.
Application:
Here, software developers begin writing the code in accordance with the studied requirements.
Testing:
It is a crucial stage that looks for any flaws, weaknesses, or faults in the software.
Documentation:
Every action taken as part of the project is recorded for future use and to help with the development process.
Deployment and maintenance:
When the software is given the all-clear for release, it is deployed.
Maintaining:
Once the product is operational, this phase begins. It involves gradual changes to a few features. This stage also emphasizes keeping an eye on the system’s performance, fixing bugs, and putting requested modifications into practice.
Strategies for Software Development
There are typically two categories of software development methodologies:
- Waterfall model
- Agile model
What is the Waterfall model?
A waterfall model illustrates a sequential and linear method of software development. The subsequent phases take place using a waterfall approach in order.
- Requirements: compile, evaluate, and document
- Design: creating the software architecture through design
- Code: the process of creating, testing, and integrating software
- Testing: the methodical identification and correction of flaws
- Operations: the setup, management, and support of full systems
Each of the aforementioned phases reflects a separate stage of software development in a real Waterfall implementation, with each stage often ending before the next one starts. Each has a stage gate; for instance, the customer’s consent is necessary before the designing stage can start. Hence you can get all the information from one of the best digital marketing agencies Cyber Dolphins Pvt Ltd.
What is the Agile model?
The 1990s saw the emergence of a number of lightweight software techniques, and in reaction to certain project managers’ distaste for the inflexible, linear waterfall methodology, came the agile methodology. It emphasizes adaptability, ongoing development, and quickness. The Agile methodology uses a step-by-step process.
Developers start with a straightforward project design before moving on to minor components. Hence these modules are worked on in weekly or monthly sprints, with project priorities assessed and tests run at the conclusion of each sprint. As a result, each sprint involves finishing the waterfall model’s analogous stages. Before the next sprint starts, these sprints enable the exploration of bugs and the incorporation of client feedback into the design.
Despite this, the procedure must be carefully regulated and documentation must be upheld, as the quick pace of development can encourage disarray. But if done properly, it produces a quick, low-risk, and effective workflow.
The majority of established businesses now employ Agile methods. Unless they clearly state that they are not agile, the majority of customers you speak with will speak in terms of Agile processes. Although very few businesses actually use fully agile methodologies, others may be employing a hybrid approach.
Key steps in the software development process
The software development life cycle consists of six key components, including:
1. Needs identification
The needs identification stage of the process entails market analysis and brainstorming. Before creating software, a corporation needs to perform thorough market research to determine the viability of the product. Developers must choose what features and services the program should offer in order to make sure that the intended users get the most out of it and find it necessary and worthwhile. Many other methods, like surveys and feedback from current and potential clients, can be used to collect this information.
However, the IT teams and other corporate departments must discuss the product’s benefits, drawbacks, and future potential. Software development procedures can only start if the finished product meets all prerequisites for success.
2. Requirement analysis
Requirement analysis is the second stage of the software development life cycle. However, stakeholders agree on the product, user, and technological requirements necessary for the proposed product to achieve its goals. This phase provides a clear explanation of each component, the scope, the responsibilities of the developers, and the testing needs in order to generate a high-quality result.
During the requirement analysis stage, development teams, users, testers, project managers, and quality assurance are all involved. At this stage, programmers also decide on a software development process, such as the waterfall or V model. Teams can always resort to the Software Requirement Specification document when implementing a project because it contains the results of this stage.
3. Design
The third phase of software development is design. Here, architects and developers write the highly technical requirements they need to produce the software. However, participants will talk about things like risk tolerance, team make-up, relevant technology, timing, cost, project constraints, approach, and architectural design.
The architectural design, components, communication, front-end representation, and user flows of the product are all described in the Design Specification Document (DSD). Hence this procedure decreases the likelihood of errors and delays in the end product by giving developers and testers a template.
4. Development and implementation
The next stage is the development and use of the design parameters. According to the requirements and product standards determined in earlier stages, developers write code. In accordance with organizational policies and requirements, front-end developers build back-ends and interfaces, while database administrators populate the database with relevant information. The programmers also test and check each other’s code.
Developers deploy the final product to an environment at the implementation stage once they finish the coding. As a result, they can test a pilot version of the application to ensure that performance meets the needs.
5. Testing
Before delivering the software to users, the testing process examines the program for errors and confirms its functionality. Hence expert testers check the product’s functionality at this step to ensure that it operates in accordance with the requirements analysis document.
A tester will use exploratory testing if they have prior experience with the product or a test script to verify the functionality of particular software components. They notify programmers when there are bugs in the code. Developers check the errors are true and make the required changes to the program before testers iterate the process until the product is bug-free and operates as planned.
6. Deployment and maintenance
Once the software is error-free, the developers can release it to clients. However, the IT software development company establishes a maintenance team after a software’s production version is there to address issues users may encounter with the product. While minor maintenance issues may just call for a hot fix, significant software issues necessitate an update.
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