Software Development, Approach & methodologies by John Pereless

As we all know the basics of software i.e. a well written code or set of instructions that performs
specific task as intended in chunks of programs coded in certain language so called
programming language. We are lifted above from the beginning era of programming world.
Weve seen such zig-zag and on track scenario on system development life cycle. We achieved
a lot from the modern software age.

Software development is associated with the computer programming, documenting the piece of
code, and testing involved in creating and maintaining applications and frameworks i.e.
platforms involved in a software release life cycle and resulting in a software product. The term
refers to a process of writing and maintaining the source code, but in a broader sense of the
term it includes all that is involved between the conception of the desired software through to
the final manifestation of the software, ideally in a planned and structured process. Therefore,
software development may include some R & D to get new results as an outcome, new
development, prototyping, modification, reuse, re-engineering, maintenance, or any other
activities that result in software products.

There are so many reasons why we need to develop software and the most common is to
simplifying things and to save human labour hence in a result increase in productivity. We can
understand its importance via major organizations working for the welfare of the society &
research and development.

Software can be developed for a variety of goals, the three most common being to meet specific
needs of a specific client or business, to meet a perceived need of some set of potential buyers
or users, or for fulfilling the personal need. Embedded software development, that is, the
development of embedded software such as used for controlling consumer products, such as
inbuilt firmware added on your devices such as washing machines, printers internal controlling
system, your digital watch etc requires the development process to be integrated or assembled
with the development of the controlled physical product.

The need for better quality control of the software development process i.e. software
development life cycle has given rise to the discipline of software engineering & reverse
engineering at the same time, which aims to apply the methodological systematic approach
exemplified in the engineering paradigm to the process of software development. Software
testing plays a major role in releasing the software versions. We can have this done in multiple
phases for various outcomes. But the ultimate goal of software testing is to deliver a better
version and fully user friendly product that meets common goal of achieving the results as well
as zero bug identification in terms of operating as well as security of the end user & to the front
as well as back-end of the system.

Steps and phases on software development process:

There are multiple approaches to software development: some take a more structured,
organized engineering-based approach to developing business solutions & customization is
involved a lot in that, whereas others may take a more incremental approach, where software
evolves as it is developed piece-by-piece & step by step. Most SDLC methodologies share
some combination of the following stages of software development:

(A) Analyzing the problem
This phase is associated with identifying the problem and understanding the actual business or
product goal. Analysis of involved users, structure or prototype of product for the business.

(B) Market research
This phase involves market study for the product to be developed. Product scope, competitive
market etc are analyzed and created a market research report for further budget and marketing
mix analysis.

(C)Gathering requirements for the proposed business solution
In this phase, software developer team ask for more information on business i.e. what will be
the business plan? How the business will function? What will be the business logic [Revenue
model etc] How the users will interact to the system? etc Once all information is received,
development team starts for the next phase which is based on gathered information.

(D) Devising a plan or design for the software-based solution
In this phase, the design prototype is sent to the business owner or main business team for
approval. If things are modified, design team accept the changes and work for further etc.

(E) Implementation (coding) of the software
This is very important phase as it involves the software development programming
methodology. System is divided into various modules and programming is done for the
individual module by the programming team. Integration starts when module wise coding is
done.
(F) Testing the software
As we discussed above, in testing all bugs are removed and the developed system is tested on
various parameters like speed, security, functioning, operating etc

(G)Deployment
When the system is fully tested, approved by the development as well as the business client
end, it is deployed for making it available for the end users.

(H) Maintenance and bug fixing
This is the last phase on all SDLC and software development model. Maintenance and bug
fixing is ongoing processes. The main goal of this phase is to offer support services for
technological and structured changes.



Summary: This article is explaining software development life cycle and associated
programming technologies. Modes of software development as well as programming paradigm
is also illustrated. Phases involved on software development are also explained by the author.

Resource Box: John Pereless is President / CEO of Pereless Software, a global software
development firm delivering business solutions and custom applications to customers including
National Geographic Channel, Fox, PepsiCo, and Nokia Siemens Networks. He is responsible
for the strategic and overall business development of Pereless.