The process of building software involves the Software Development Lifecycle, (SDLC) as it is otherwise known. It is all about creating the highest quality software to serve a scalable purpose.

Read this blog post below to discover all about the software development process and the phases of the development process.

 

Software Development

Software development is the process of conceiving, designing, programming and documenting application frameworks. It includes testing and bug fixing and maintaining applications, frameworks and software competencies. At its core, it is a type of computer science dedicated to the process of creating, supporting and the maintenance.

Software is a set of instructions that tells a computer what to do - the hardware that is independent of the computer which is what makes computers programmable.

 

The Three Basic Types of Software Development

There are three basic types of software development, they are as follows:

 

System Software

System software provides core functions such as operating systems, disk management, utilities and hardware management as well as other operating necessities.

 

Programming Software

This type of software gives programmers tools including text editors, compilers, linkers and debuggers too. All these examples plus other tools also allow users to create a software code.

 

Application Software

It is application software that helps the users of the software perform tasks, otherwise known as ‘apps’. Office productivity suites, data management software, media players and security programs are all examples of app development software.

Both web and mobile applications are also included under this category. It includes social media apps Facebook or Instagram or even browsing online shops using the Amazon app for example.

 

Stages of the Software Development Process

The stages of the software development process usually involve the following step-by-step guide:

1. Establish a framework by selecting a methodology to which the software development plan can be applied. The experienced software developer will then work on understanding the requirements analysis that is needed for the development of the software.
   
   
2. Next comes choosing and building the architecture as the underlying structure of the software, in which it will operate.
   
   
3. Development services of a design for the software solution that is needed will be done next. This process often involves storyboards and process models.
   
   
4. Prototyping using a modelling tool with modelling language is done to conduct validation at an early stage of the design. The code will be constructed in the appropriate language of the programme and will usually involve peer and team reviews. This will eliminate problems early to produce high-quality software faster.
   
   
5. More testing will involve planned scenario tests to see the software design and the coding in action.
   
   
6. Managing configuration defects to understand the software fully. Establishing the quality assurance priorities and tracking any defects.
   
   
7. Any software that needs to be updated will need its data to migrate from the existing applications if necessary. Software engineers will continue to manage and measure the project. This will help to maintain its quality over the application life cycle.

 

The Life Cycle of Software Development

The steps of the software development process steps can be grouped into the phases of the software development life cycle.

The software development life cycle refers to the phases involved in producing software applications. Every stage has the responsibility that contributes to the software development that must understand, manage and optimise software speeds and performance.

The stages of the life cycle include:

 

Requirement Gathering

This stage of the life cycle involves identifying current problems with the software. The team, as well as knowing the requirements and requests the software needs to perform.

The requirements can involve creating specifications for the software, a detailed plan, documentation, issue tracking and project and/or product planning.

Defining your software product development requirements at this stage gives developers the right context. It is what they need to deliver and produce quality software solutions.

 

Software Designing

The teams in this stage work on making design decisions regarding architecture to make the software solution.

The software design can involve design documents, coding guidelines, runtimes and frameworks that will help the team meet the software requirements.

Software development Testing Deployment Maintenance

 

Software Development

The team builds on software solutions at this stage, which will be based on the decisions made in the design process. Teams meet the goals and outcomes of the software requirements, implementing the software solution.

The development process can involve new technologies and challenges. The software development teams will work together with the tech leads and product and project managers.

This stage of the cycle will finish when the teams have built their code.

 

Test and Integration

The software is tested to assure its quality for its users. Testing and quality assurance ensures optimal performance down the line.

This involves unit testing, performing and integration. Reporting any defeats or software bugs will also be conducted at this stage.

 

Deployment

Software is then deployed into production. The work is tested overall and shared with the consumers/customers. This process involves arranging a software deployment strategy for delivering the changes to a customer.

 

Maintenance

The software is put into operation to ensure there are no issues related to the deployment of the software. This stage will involve reviewing, understanding and monitoring the network settings, performance and infrastructure.

 

Blacklight Software Can Help

Blacklight Software can help when it comes to software development. We aim to provide business solutions through the development of software. This way, you can reap the benefits and create the perfect working solutions for you, your team and your business.

We offer bespoke software development solutions with our in-house team of experts, always looking for the best solutions for all of our customers and driving the software development process, from the start of the product development lifecycle up until the testing and maintenance.

Get in touch with us today at Blacklight Software - we can discuss your software development requirements further and see what we can offer you.