Software has been helping make the world go round for a long time. From the smallest device to the largest machines, each is able to function because software goes through a structured, multi-step process that gives life to them. That process is called software development.
The system “refers to a set of computer science activities that are dedicated to the process of creating, designing, deploying and supporting software.” (IBM ) It is called the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
Basically, it involves planning, analysis, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance. The steps are usually, but not necessarily, done in the same order. Developers work based on specific project needs.
IT’S A CYCLE
SDLC is the whole operation, from start to finish and back again. “Back again”, because an SDLC is never completely final. The cycle goes round once more.
There are different software categories that teams work on.
Most Common Software Categories:
1. System Software that controls hardware and resources, acting as the user and the device’s point of interaction. Samples are operating systems (OS), device drivers, firmware, and language processors.
2. Application Software that fulfills tasks that are based on end-user needs. Samples are productivity, communication, graphics, enterprise and database, and education and simulation.
3. Utility Software that provides optimization, system maintenance, and security. Samples are antivirus, firewalls and antispyware; file management and compression tools; system optimization tools; and backup and recovery tools or system restore.
Other classifications are Freeware, Open Source Software (OSS), Shareware, and Closed Source or Proprietary Software.
The Test Phase
The test phase starts after working on the software. The step is there for a reason–it means to expect results afterwards. Those results are checked and analyzed to see if the current version meets the project goals. Testing helps identify previously unseen issues as well as possible future problems. This way, software development teams are able to fix the existing issues and make adjustments. Sometimes, adjustments mean customizing software. Applications are tailored to the needs of the client. No two clients are exactly the same after all.
SDLC ensures high-quality end-products, whether it is a software application, framework, or system. Its crucial high-level security is imperative to the whole system. Maintenance is necessary, which means, as aforementioned, the cycle does not really end. Maintenance is the ongoing stage that bridges the current system to the next development update.
CHOOSING A CYCLE
There is more than one type of software development, though. Adapting to changes has pushed developers to use different approaches in finding what works best. Success depends on their good decisions and effective applications on the software.
Some of the Most Popular Software Development Methodologies are the following:
Agile, which is chosen for its flexibility and continuous progress. The software development allows for much collaboration with customers.
DevOps, which focuses on organizational change. It bridges development and IT operations teams.
Lean, which is management-centric for optimizing efficiency. It identifies and eliminates waste (non-value-adding activities).
Waterfall, which is used for stable and clearly defined projects. It is strictly linear and sequential, very traditional.
Rapid Application Development (RAD), which is ideal for smaller projects. The approach is modular with multiple teams handling smaller components yet working side by side.
Extreme Programming (XP), which works in an unstable environment, improving software quality through certain practices. Non-essential software is minimized.
Prototyping Methodology, which focuses on user input. Prototypes improve user interface and user experience.
Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM), which has very specific goals–finish within the set timeline without going over budget. The constant feedback helps strengthen functionality.
Each methodology approaches software development differently. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. This diversity enables businesses to choose what process fits their plans and goals. The team managers search for the potential solutions to help in their decision-making.
Criteria for the Best Methodology
A business and its team of software development experts factor in several criteria to find the most appropriate approach.
These are the criteria (or questions) they try to look for (and answer):
Flexibility - How workable is a procedure?
Predictability - How stable and clearly defined is the scope?
Risk Reduction - What method would be best for a risky undertaking?
Marketability - How should the fast or speedy delivery be sustained?
There are approaches that are better for certain criteria. For instance, from those mentioned, Agile and Lean are the most flexible. Meanwhile, Waterfall has the highest predictability. Still, In SDLC, it’s not uncommon for developers to blend two or more methods. Hybrid models often work better to fill specific requirements and surpass limitations.
THE AGILE CYCLE
There are many approaches that developers use today. But one life cycle stands out. The Agile cycle is largely preferred by many software development experts. It minimizes the risks, prevents possible issues, or finds and fixes problems.
Agile software development is known for its strong adaptability. The approach works well with iteration, resulting in good quality that many naturally prefer. Progression is a very essential attribute when it comes to creating applications or software. At times, new functionalities are added, often increasing risks, which Agile is able to diminish.
Agile is quite collaborative. The different teams in one development project focus on their specific tasks while also working together to create an efficient software. In addition, client involvement makes changes more effective in delivering fast results and feedback loops.
The Agile Manifesto
A very interesting story is how and why Agile development started. It was based on the Manifesto for Agile Software Development, otherwise known as the Agile Manifesto, created in 2001 by 17 software developers.
“‘The Agile Alliance,’ this group of independent thinkers about software development, and sometimes competitors to each other, agreed on the Manifesto for Agile Software Development…a group of people who held a set of compatible values, a set of values based on trust and respect for each other and promoting organizational models based on people, collaboration, and building the types of organizational communities in which we would want to work.”
The goal in creating the manifesto was to have an alternative to traditional software processes. Traditional can be quite rigid, heavy and complicated. Agile, the alternative process, is faster and efficient.
The Agile Manifesto emphasizes four core values and 12 principles.
The Agile Core Values
- Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
- Working software over comprehensive documentation
- Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
- Responding to change over following a plan
The understanding is, while every item is valuable, the ones on the left are more valuable in Agile software development. To further guide any Agile developer, 12 principles were also put into writing.
The Agile Principles
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- Our highest priority is to satisfy the customer through the early and continuous delivery of valuable software.
- Welcome changing requirements, even late in development. Agile processes harness change for the customer’s competitive advantage.
- Deliver working software frequently, from a couple of weeks to a couple of months, with a preference to the shorter timescale.
- Business people and developers must work together daily throughout the project.
- Build projects around motivated individuals. Give them the environment and support they need, and trust them to get the job done.
- The most efficient and effective method of conveying information to and within a development team is face-to-face conversation.
- Working software is the primary measure of progress.
- Agile processes promote sustainable development. The sponsors, developers, and users should be able to maintain a constant pace indefinitely.
- Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design enhances agility.
- Simplicity–the art of maximizing the amount of work not done–is essential.
- The best architectures, requirements, and designs emerge from self-organizing teams.
- At regular intervals, the team reflects on how to become more effective, then tunes and adjusts its behavior accordingly.
AN IMPERFECT CYCLE
With all the values and principles presented, Agile does seem ideal. The pro or merit: Iterations improve efficiency due to faster detection and resolution of issues. However, these are the cons: The method can be too time-consuming for users, and labor-intensive for the developers. Many online forums discuss certain issues surrounding the use of Agile, which shows it’s not as perfect as it sounds on paper.
Fortunately, its high adaptability still makes it seem to be the best methodology to match other methodologies with. For instance, Agile with DevOps is considered the best when it comes to cloud-native applications. Various frameworks have also been created under Agile development to achieve the goals. The most popular Agile frameworks include Scrum, Kanban, and Extreme Programming (XP). They are generally considered the best, especially for changing requirements.
TRUSTING THE CYCLE
All the time and effort teams and users pour into working with Agile software development say a lot about its effectiveness. That’s both in the short and long run. Developers come back to systems that have been proven to work. They create, apply, test, adjust, and do the cycle over again to make sure a software is updated and functioning well.
To be effective, developers keep what works, adjust when and what’s necessary, test out mixed methods, and trust the process.
