Programming software or an app can be a stressful thing at times, especially when it comes to coding different parts of a big project. Therefore, having a system in place that allows you to go through the development process step by step without feeling overwhelmed is essential to producing a high-quality piece of software.

This is exactly what the SDLC is: a system of activities that includes several stages or phases and when followed ensures that you have a good understanding of the task at hand while also eliminating errors as much as possible.

In this article, we will delve into these stages and what each of them includes.

Business Analysis or Discovery Phase

First, you have to plan. There is no such thing as too much planning and if even a minor detail is missed during this stage, you may have to revise the entire project.

During the analysis stage, there are a few things you need to do. You should start with a brainstorm and some ideas on which to base your project. For example, if you were developing a new reservation system for a hotel, you might consider linking hotel reservations with restaurant reservations, one of many possibilities.

Make sure the ideas you come up with are in line with your client’s (or your own) requirements so you stay on task while being creative and coming up with innovative ideas.

It’s also important to consider the time, costs, and resources available so that you don’t end up developing something that your client’s computer system can’t handle, can’t afford, or would take a while. ridiculously long time to program.

All in all, this stage is to give you a better idea of ​​what the final software should look like, as this will be what your work will be based on.

At this point in the SDLC, you should have all the information you need to briefly get started with software development and even create a basic prototype; At a minimum, you should be able to build a more detailed breakdown. of the project than before. It’s worth taking the time to make a brief prototype so you and your clients can see your ideas in action and gather some feedback.

Now, after detailing the development project as thoroughly as you can, break it down into smaller tasks. If you’re working with a team of developers, this is also a good time to divide tasks accordingly so everyone is familiar with the role they’ll be taking on and start preparing.

Design

This stage is relatively simple, compared to the other stages of the SDLC, and typically includes a systems analyst and the lead developer. They analyze the system on which the software is to be installed, any limitations that the system has that are relevant to the functionality of the software, and ensure that the proposed piece of software does not encounter any major problems once it has been installed. implemented.

After the systems analysis stage, a more complex prototype can be created so that all parties involved can gain a better understanding of what the final product will look like and assess any issues that may arise.

Before moving on to the next stage, which is programming, the lead developer will confirm all the plans that have been created and ensure that the customer’s needs are met, before going ahead and starting the main development.

Programming

There’s not much to discuss regarding this stage other than that it’s time for you to get to work! Put everything you’ve planned into place, start your programming, and build a piece of software you’re happy with.

One thing worth keeping in mind is that although you will have gathered all the information you need beforehand, if you are unsure about any of the job requirements, please contact your client; There is no shame in clarifying any doubts and they will not criticize you for doing so.

Tests

It is important to test the encrypted program. This is not as simple as running the program, using each of the functions once, and then closing it: you have to do extensive cross-part testing while using multiple test methods.

  • Without overcomplicating things, here are some of the things to keep in mind during the testing phase.

  • When you interact with the program or enter data (input), do you get the output you expect?

  • Can each of the program’s features be easily identified and do they work as they should?

  • Does the program fulfill its initial purpose?

  • Does the program run efficiently and make good use of computer system resources?

  • Are there any improvements you can make?

After extensively testing your program to make sure it doesn’t have any problems, you’re ready to deploy it.

However, if you find that there are problems or improvements that can be made, be sure to fix them before proceeding. Remember to make a note of the errors you found and how you fixed them; this is useful in case you experience related errors in the future.

Implementation

Finally, it’s time to deploy the software in the environment for which it is intended. This is the final stage of the SDLC and includes setting up the software on the desired computer system, any other systems where it is required, and explaining to your customer how to use it.

You should also consider putting together a basic user guide, depending on the complexity of your program, so they have a complete understanding and don’t need to contact you every time they have a question or query. Distributing user guides will also make it easier to explain the software to large groups of people.

Whats Next?

Now that the software has been built from scratch and is installed and configured as it should be, you can kick back and relax.

Although it is not an official stage, after the implementation of the software you programmed, you should be ready for maintenance. In general, maintenance refers to any changes your customer wants to make to the software, any upgrades, or fix any bugs that come up.

Some software development projects will require maintenance while others will not, so it is not considered a stage of the SDLC.

In conclusion…

This may seem like an excessive software development model, but by following the SDLC, software developers and engineers can ensure that they don’t make silly (but vital) mistakes and, as a result, create a piece of software that exceeds the needs of their customers. customers. Expectations.

Having this type of process in place ensures that you are on the right track and since you will be constantly reviewing the notes you have taken during the planning stage, it will certainly prevent uncertainties from wreaking havoc and causing you to start from scratch.