The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) outlines the tasks a software engineer or developer must complete at each stage of development. It ensures the final product meets customer expectations and stays within budget. That’s why developers need to understand this process. SDLC consists of six key stages, which are:
Stage 1: Planning and Requirement Analysis
Planning is critical in software development. In this stage, developers perform requirement analysis based on customer inputs, sales data, and market surveys. This analysis forms the startof the project. Effective planning results in a high-quality project design using the gathered information.
Stage 2: Defining Requirements
In this stage, all requirements for the software are specified and approved by customers, market analysts, and stakeholders. The Software Requirement Specification (SRS) document is created, detailing everything that needs to be developed throughout the project.
Stage 3: Designing Architecture
Using the SRS as a guide, software designers create multiple architecture designs for the product. These designs are outlined in the Design Document Specification (DDS). After evaluation by stakeholders and analysts, the most practical and effective design is chosen for development.
Stage 4: Developing the Product
This stage involves the actual development of the product. Developers write code based on the DDS using tools like compilers, interpreters, and debuggers. Popular programming languages such as C/C++, Python, and Java are used according to the project requirements.
Stage 5: Product Testing and Integration
After development, thorough testing is conducted to identify and fix any issues. Although testing happens at every stage, this phase ensures the final product meets the SRS quality standards. Additionally, documentation and training materials are prepared to guide users and employees on using and maintaining the product.
Stage 6: Deployment and Maintenance
Once testing is complete, the product is deployed in phases as per the organization’s plan. It is tested in real-world environments, and based on user feedback, improvements may be made. Continuous maintenance ensures the product remains functional and up-to-date post-deployment.