Software life cycle: everything you need to know

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Contents

The development procedure (or software life cycle), which a priori may seem like a simple task, consists of a series of mandatory steps that seek to make the programs created efficient, reliable, safe and responsive to end-user needs.

What is the life cycle of the software?

The software development life cycle (also known as SDLC or Systems development life cycle) considers the essential phases to validate the development of the software and thus guarantee that it complies with the requirements for the application and verification of the development procedures, ensuring that the methods used are adequate.

Its origin lies in the fact that it is very expensive to correct possible errors that are detected late in the implementation stage. Using appropriate methodologies, could be caught early so programmers can focus on software quality, meet deadlines and associated costs.

Even though there are different software development cycles, the legislation ISO / IEC / IEEE 12207: 2017 establishes:

“A common framework for software life cycle processes, with well-established terminology, to which the software industry may refer. Contains processes, activities and tasks applicable during the acquisition, supply, developing, operation, systems maintenance or arrangement, IT products and services. These life cycle processes are carried out through stakeholder participation, in order to achieve customer satisfaction ".

Phases of software development

The methodology for software development is a systematic way of performing, manage and manage a project to carry it out with great chances of success. This systematization indicates how a project is divided into smaller modules to standardize how it is managed.

A) Yes, a methodology for software development are the processes to be followed systematically to design, implement and maintain a software product from when the need for the product occurs until the purpose for which it was created is met.

A) Yes, the stages of software development are as follows:

Planning

Before starting an information system development project, it is necessary to carry out certain tasks that will decisively influence its success. These tasks are known as diffuse start of the project, since they are not subject to deadlines.

Some of the tasks at this stage include activities such as determining the scope of the project, conduct a feasibility study, analyze the associated risks, estimate the cost of the project, your time planning and the allocation of resources to the different stages of the project. draft.

Analysis

Of course, you need to find out what exactly the software should do. Therefore, the analysis stage in the software life cycle corresponds to the procedure through which an attempt is made to discover what is really needed and an adequate understanding of the system requirements is fulfilled (the characteristics that the system must have).

Design

At this stage, the possible implementation options for the software to be built are studied., as well as its general structure is decided. Design is a complex stage and its procedure must be carried out iteratively.

The initial answer may not be the most appropriate, so in this circumstance it must be perfected. Despite this, there are very useful design pattern catalogs that collect mistakes that others have made to avoid falling into the same trap.

Implementation

At this stage you have to select the right tools, a development environment that facilitates work and a programming language appropriate to the type of software to be built. This choice will depend on both the design decisions made and the environment in which the software will operate..

When scheduling, try to make sure the code is not indecipherable by following different guidelines like the following:

  • Avoid unstructured control blocks.
  • Correctly identify the variables and their scope.
  • Choose algorithms and data structures suitable for the problem.
  • Keep the application logic as simple as possible.
  • Document and properly comment on the code of the programs.
  • Facilitate visual code interpretation using code formatting rules previously agreed upon by the development team.

It is also necessary to pay attention to the acquisition of the necessary resources for the software to work, while developing test cases to verify its operation as scheduled.

Tests

How is it human to err, the testing stage of the software life cycle seeks to detect the errors made in the previous stages to correct them. Of course, Ideally, do it before the end user finds them. A test is said to be a success if an error is detected.

Installation or deployment

The next stage is the implementation of the software, so you have to plan the environment taking into account the dependencies between the different components of it.

It is possible that there are components that work correctly separately, but when combined they cause problems. Therefore, you must use recognized combinations that do not cause compatibility issues.

Use and maintenance

This is one of the most important phases of the software development life cycle.. Since the software does not break or wear out with use, its maintenance includes three differentiated points:

  • Clear detected defects during their useful life (Corrective maintenance).
  • Adapt it to new needs (adaptive maintenance).
  • Incorporation of new functionalities (perfective maintenance).

Even if it sounds contradictory, the better the software, more time you will have to invest in its maintenance. The main reason is that more (even in unforeseen ways) Y, therefore, there will be more proposals for improvement.

Software life cycle models

In order to facilitate a common methodology between the client and the software company, life cycle models have been updated (or software development paradigms) to capture the development stages involved and the necessary documentation, so that each stage is validated before moving on to the next. one.

Cascade model

In the cascading life cycle model, the above phases will work one after the other in a linear fashion. Thus, only when one stage ends can we continue to the next, and so progressively.

Repeating pattern

This model guides the software development procedure in repetitions. A) Yes, projects the development procedure by cyclically repeating each step after each cycle in the software life cycle procedure.

Spiral pattern

The spiral model is a combination of the previous models where risk is taken into account. Thus, you start by determining goals and limitations at the beginning of each rep. In the next stage, prototype software models are created, including risk analysis. Subsequently, a standard model is used to build the software and finally the plan for the next iteration is prepared.

Modelo v

One of the big problems with the waterfall model is that you only go to the next stage if the previous one is completed and you cannot go back if there are errors in later stages. Therefore, Model V offers more options to examine the software at each stage.

At each stage, test planning and test cases are created to verify and validate the product based on its requirements.. Thus, verification and validation go in parallel.

Big Bang model

This is probably the simplest model, since it needs little planning, a lot of programming and a lot of financing. This model has as its main concept the creation of the universe; Then, if you raise funds and programming, get the best software product.

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