Software development is the process of developing, defining, designing, programming, documenting, testing, and fixing bugs related to building and maintaining applications, environments, or other software components. Software development is the process of writing and maintaining source code, but in a broader sense, it includes everything from the concept of the desired software to its final manifestation, sometimes in a planned and structured process. Therefore, software development may include research, new development, prototyping, modification, reuse, reengineering, maintenance, or any other activity that results in software products.
Software can be developed for a variety of purposes, the three most common of which are designed to meet the specific needs of a particular client/business (in the case of custom software), to meet the perceived need of a certain set of potential users (in the case of commercial and open source software). code) or for personal use (for example, a scientist might write software to automate everyday tasks). The development of embedded software, such as that used to manage consumer products, requires the process to be integrated with the development of the managed physical product. System software underpins applications and the programming process itself, and is often developed separately.
The need for better quality control of the software development process has given rise to the discipline of software development to apply the systems approach illustrated in the development paradigm to the software development process.
There are many approaches to software project management known as models, methodologies, processes, or software development life cycle models. The waterfall model is the traditional version, contrasting with the more recent agile software development innovation.
Software development is the process of developing, defining, designing, programming, documenting, testing, and fixing bugs related to building and maintaining applications, environments, or other software components. Software development is the process of writing and maintaining source code, but in a broader sense, it includes everything from the concept of the desired software to its final manifestation, sometimes in a planned and structured process. Therefore, software development may include research, new development, prototyping, modification, reuse, reengineering, maintenance, or any other activity that results in software products.
Software can be developed for a variety of purposes, the three most common of which are designed to meet the specific needs of a particular client/business (in the case of custom software), to meet the perceived need of a certain set of potential users (in the case of commercial and open source software). code) or for personal use (for example, a scientist might write software to automate everyday tasks). The development of embedded software, such as that used to manage consumer products, requires the process to be integrated with the development of the managed physical product. System software underpins applications and the programming process itself, and is often developed separately.
The need for better quality control of the software development process has given rise to the discipline of software development to apply the systems approach illustrated in the development paradigm to the software development process.
There are many approaches to software project management known as models, methodologies, processes, or software development life cycle models. The waterfall model is the traditional version, contrasting with the more recent agile software development innovation.
Steps in the software development process
Software development usually includes the following steps:
Selecting a methodology to define the framework in which the software development steps are applied. It describes the overall workflow or roadmap for the project. Methodologies can include Agile Development, DevOps, Rapid Application Development (RAD), Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), Waterfall, and others.
Gathering requirements to understand and document the requirements of users and other interested parties.
Choosing or building an architecture as the base structure in which the software will run.
Design development around solving problems presented by requirements, often involving process models and storyboards.
Building code in the appropriate programming language. Includes peer and group review to resolve issues faster and build quality software quickly.
Testing with pre-planned scenarios as part of software development and performing performance testing to simulate application load testing.
Configuration and defect management to understand all software artifacts (requirements, design, code, testing) and create individual versions of the software. Establish quality assurance priorities and release criteria for defect resolution and tracking.
Deploying software to use and respond to user issues.
Migrate data to new or updated software from existing applications or data sources as needed.
Project management and measurement to maintain quality and delivery throughout the application life cycle, and to evaluate the development process using models such as the Capability Maturity Model (CMM).
The stages of the software development process fit into application lifecycle management.
Analysis and clarification of requirements
Design and development
Testing
Deployment
Service and Support
The stages of the software development process can be grouped into life cycle stages, but the importance of the life cycle is that it is iterative to ensure continuous improvement. For example, user issues that arise during the maintenance and support phase may become requirements at the beginning of the next cycle.
Why is software development important?
Software development is important because it helps companies differentiate and be more competitive. This can improve the customer experience, bring more innovative, feature-rich products to market faster, and make operations more efficient, safer, and more productive.
Software development is also important because it is widespread