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Software development has become an integral component of modern life and business, used by individuals, small businesses, and large enterprises alike to accomplish everyday tasks.
Enterprise software has experienced one of the highest compound annual growth rates of any other industry - it is expected to see further expansion by 2023, with global spending projected to hit 755bn US dollars worldwide.
Stats and reports can be invaluable resources for software creators. Before continuing, however, we must understand some fundamental aspects of software creation; here, we'll look at various development and lifecycle software management models and their advantages and disadvantages.
What Is Software?
Software tells computers what to do by providing instructions or data that allows computers to complete specific tasks.
Hardware refers to physical components of computers, while Software refers to applications, scripts and programs on devices - examples being Google Chrome, Gmail, Adobe Reader, Microsoft Word, and Powerpoint, which are popular software products used today.
Software Types
There are four generalized software categories. These are:
Software Applications
Application software is one of the most prevalent categories of computer software. End-user software refers to any program which aids users in accomplishing specific tasks or reaching desired outcomes; in this instance, "end user" refers to anyone using or benefiting from it directly or indirectly; an application program could consist of one self-contained program or collection of programs which runs for it on behalf of its end-user(s).
Users may install application software onto their smartphones or computers according to their specific needs and the available choices on the market.
This type of program has become so prevalent over time.
System Software
System software ensures a harmonious working environment between the user, application and computer - it manages hardware operations while simultaneously being an anchor point for other software programs or computer systems.
Therefore, system software must exist as the cornerstone for all kinds of programs or computer systems to run successfully.
System Software refers to operating systems such as Apple IOS or Microsoft Windows as well as Firmware, System Utilities and System Utilities that run behind-the-scenes and can't be seen - the only time people become aware that something changed with regards to system software updates is when their update notification arrives in their inboxes.
Programming Languages
Programming software enables computer programmers to write code. Software developers use programming software when developing, testing and debugging their code - translating C++, Javascript and Python languages to machine language using these programming apps such as an assembler debugger interpreter and more! Programming apps may include assemblers, debuggers, and interpreters, among many more.
Driver Software
Driver software (also called device drivers) is system software used for controlling peripherals connected to computers and performing their necessary functions.
Each piece of hardware connected requires at least one driver to work, including standard and non-standard items like printers, drives and game controllers.
What Is Software Development?
Software development encompasses an array of tasks that range from creating and documenting Software, testing it before release as well as designing and programming apps to maintaining source code and research/prototype development to modifications, engineering software maintenance as well as other related activities related to products/applications that utilize them.
There can be numerous reasons for software development; here are three of them:
- To satisfy the requirements of an individual client, business or organization.
- It is designed to meet the specific needs of a particular group of users.
- To satisfy the needs of personal use.
Programmers and software engineers generally carry out software development with roles overlapping across departments; their dynamics also vary widely depending on where code needs to be written, so the software developer is closely associated with that department and also drives all stages of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), including working across functional groups, transforming features into requirements, managing teams/development business processes effectively as well as software maintenance/testing activities.
Coders and Programmers write code to complete tasks such as merging databases, routing communication paths or displaying text.
Software Developers or Engineers typically assign tasks to Programmers who use languages like Javascript, Java and C++ to carry them out.
Software engineers apply their engineering deep knowledge to design software products and solve problems using tools and modeling languages, adhering to scientific principles while ensuring practical best-value solutions.
Software development is one of the fastest-growing industries. There are high levels of demand and competition among developers for jobs within this field; as a result, there are multiple forms of development software, such as these most prevalent types.
Different Types Of Software Development
Software development, the main activity in the IT industry today, can be divided into main categories. Below is an outline of these types.
App Development
Application Development involves designing programs or sets to assist individuals, organizations, and businesses in utilizing functionalities.
Standard apps typically perform these functions by mimicking operating system functions.
Application Development Technologies: Java (C/C++), C#, Python and more.
Web Development
Web Development refers to the creation of websites on the internet. Web development services range from creating simple static web pages through complex applications to interconnecting thousands of interlinked web pages that only developers can organize effectively.
Web Development Companies have witnessed exponential growth thanks to APIs and newer Web Technologies that permit site plugins.
Web Development Technologies: HTML, Javascript, PHP and Python, Ruby and Rails and ASP.NET.
Mobile Development
Mobile Development (also called App Development or Mobile App Development) refers to creating applications targeted explicitly towards mobile devices like iPhones or Androids, many of which now run successfully on Windows 10 platforms.
Mobile Development Technologies: Android Swift Objective C HTML5, Java C# Javascript and more.
Data Science
Data scientists play an instrumental role in making sense of large volumes of information. They are crucially involved with data mining - discovering valuable data for scientific applications or mining-based AI applications, where machines need much data to make decisions and learn.
Data Science Technologies: Python, C/C++ and more.
Software Tools Development
Software designed specifically to aid software development isn't used by consumers directly; rather, its purpose lies within the industry itself.
Such tools help other developers code and test software and maintain industry standards during production and development, and testing activities.
Tools Development Technologies: Java, Python, C++
API Development
API Development, or the Application Programming Interface (API), is a program created by developers which serves as part of multiple operating systems.
An API allows third-party developers to gain access to its functions or tools; each API written for its particular platform corresponds with specific languages reaching it.
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Embedded Systems Development
Embedded Systems Development refers to Software tailored explicitly for running devices or machines on embedded systems.
This type of development seeks to cultivate programming abilities required by embedded systems.
Embedded System Technologies: Assembler C, Python, Arduino and Java.
Security Software Development
Cybersecurity experts and white hat hackers collaborate to enhance the protection of critical information and businesses.
Together they develop Software designed to shield assets from malicious attacks, theft and viruses.
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing utilizes remote networks to access and store services rather than local devices or servers. Cloud developers typically develop storage software like Amazon Web Services or Onedrive Storage as examples of such cloud services.
Cloud Computing Technologies: Java, XML, R, Erlang, Google's Go, Clojure and more.
Backend Development Is Also Known As Database Development
Database Development, more commonly referred to as Back-end Development, takes place behind the scenes and involves data storage on the backend or server side of a website.
Data is managed in this area through database administration - making up its foundation in any organization with large volumes of information to work. Backend developers help organize and organize this data efficiently in backend development.
Backend Development Technologies: Python for backend development, Java, C++ and C++ in the frontend, MySQL, dBase or Oracle as a database.
Custom Software Development differs significantly from Commercial Off-the-Shelf Development in several vital ways.
Custom Development involves designing, creating, deploying and supporting customized Software explicitly tailored to an organization, group of individuals, function or set of users. In contrast, off-the-shelf Software typically caters for broader user demographics which makes packaging, selling and distribution much more straightforward and cost-effective.
Some software is more widely utilized than others; each advancement is significant to our society and economy today.
The Importance Of Software Development
Software development is integral for businesses because it helps them compete effectively against rival companies and differentiate themselves.
Software Development allows firms to become more innovative while improving customer experiences, marketing feature-rich and efficient products faster, and making operations safer and more productive.
Software development has become an indispensable technology used for nearly every task imaginable. The Software serves to store, integrate and protect our digital information; software developers also ensure its safety.
Software can bring many benefits and enhancements for businesses of any size; here are several reasons for considering developing custom Software.
Promoting Your Business
Your business can achieve new heights through software development. Your brand becomes known worldwide, and awareness increases exponentially.
Sales And Service Improvements
Your sales could skyrocket if your company has an effective digital presence. Expanding globally becomes possible.
Also important: finding out what customers think about your products and services and creating an online presence so clients can contact you quickly.
Communication Direct
Software development enables direct contact between yourself and the end customer - the easiest and fastest way to build brand recognition.
Customer Engagement And User Satisfaction Can Be Increased
Marketing software used for online marketing can strengthen customer retention and engagement. Businesses that want to remain profitable must develop a thorough marketing strategy to retain and provide better service levels to their clients.
Marketing Your Business Can Be A Challenge
Software development offers the fastest way to implement on-the-go advertising without investing extra effort, time or money - it reaches customers wherever they may be located.
What Are The Benefits Of Software Development?
Software development doesn't only fall within the purview of programmers or developers. Scientists, engineers, fabricators of devices and testers all play critical roles in software creation - even those not typically classified as programmers.
According to reports, the Information and Communication Technology sector could spend 5.8 trillion US dollars by 2023, while non-ICT expenditure could grow even faster to exceed this figure and surpass it altogether, reaching as high as 4.5 trillion USD by then.
Software development has become an indispensable service to all types of businesses across all sectors and sizes, regardless of industry or sector.
No matter the sector or size of your organization, software development could prove valuable in some form or fashion for them.
Custom software development companies specialize in producing Software to suit clients' requirements in various industries such as retail, manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, education, FinTech catering, and pharmaceuticals.
Therefore, no enterprise can escape the benefits of software development.
Eight Types Of Software Development Service Model Models
Waterfall Model
Waterfall Models are linear, sequential flows used in projects with predefined requirements. Their name refers to their approach to software implementation through each phase.
The Waterfall Model relies upon the successful completion of each previous phase before moving on to the next one so as not to allow revert backs; therefore, it should only be employed on projects without unexpected mid-development changes or deviations from the planned timeline.
Process-driven development entails each stage from business analysis, design, coding, testing and deployment, with each step documented and offering concrete deliverables before moving on to the next.
Each deliverable must be met before beginning on another, thus leaving software requirements fixed during development; since testing cannot occur until its completed stage, the risk increases dramatically, and results become unpredictable due to the testing process being rushed while mistakes cost more to correct; it was the initial model utilized in software development.
Advantages: The Waterfall Model, with its straightforward approach and intuitive nature, provides a practical means of lifecycle management in smaller projects.
When the requirements have been clearly articulated up front, this model works ideally.
Disadvantages: Due to its rigid structure, Waterfall Model projects that involve complex requirements or extensive testing should not utilize this methodology.
V-Model
The V-Model is an extension to the Waterfall model that works similarly in terms of the sequence: software life cycles are bent upward after every testing phase instead of moving down linearly; each upward step corresponds with testing phases in later iterations of this sequence, making this suitable for projects where tools and requirements are known upfront.
The waterfall model is another linear sequential framework, with each stage having matching testing activities to guarantee exceptional quality but at a great expense in time and costs.
While errors in requirements specification, code, and architecture can be detected earlier with Waterfall, it remains expensive and difficult to make changes due to conditions being collected up-front and cannot be altered afterwards.
Advantages: There are numerous advantages associated with using the V-Model approach for small projects.
Notably, its simple process provides a greater chance for success due to test plans and regular schedule updates.
Disadvantages: Much like its Waterfall Model counterpart, V-Model software development methods can be rigid and unsuitable for applications which may need updates or revisions throughout their lifespan.
Incremental Model
The Incremental Model was devised to address some of the limitations inherent to the Waterfall Model. It includes gradual and iterative development phases similar to mini Waterfall Cycles.
Iterations must be used to structure development cycles using an incremental model (modular Software must be designed "Lego style"), where new software modules are introduced without altering or impacting earlier modules that were added earlier. Parallel development increases speed and cost efficiency while taking advantage of early learnings gained during earlier phases.
Software develops through iterative development. Each iteration builds upon itself for consistency of design. Because project pieces often get delivered separately, full specifications may not be needed at project commencement; changes to requirements can occur during development as minor tweaks take place and do not alter drastically from initial specifications.
System design poses particular difficulties during incremental development; integration issues between software components may present problems for total developers.
SDLC models generally involve customer involvement as changes to requirements may become necessary during project implementation.
Advantages: Incremental models provide a practical approach for projects where some changes must occur between increments.
Furthermore, incremental modeling has the bonus of early problem detection, which aids lifecycle planning.
Disadvantages: Documentation and strategic planning can be seen as significant drawbacks of using an incremental model for software development projects, while extra staff, money, and resources may be necessary for using this method.
Furthermore, continuous development methods likely fail with this model since each sequence can only commence once one has already begun.
RAD Model
The Rapid Application Development (RAD) Model, often abbreviated 'RAD, is a variation on the Incremental Model that facilitates the simultaneous development of various components as small projects - in turn assembled into functional prototypes.
Advantages: Rapid Application Development models reduce development times while encouraging customer input into software creation processes.
Disadvantages: Applying the RAD Model can be challenging due to its modular nature; designers and developers with impeccable planning and modeling abilities must use this methodology for maximum effect.
Failure at final assembly could cause unscheduled delays and require new components to be developed and added to the project.
Agile Model
This model relies on adaptable processes and user engagement to rapidly deliver working software components. Incremental development divides a project into smaller increment builds provided iteratively over time.
Agile involves close cooperation between your team, customer, stakeholders and customer stakeholders. Stakeholders evaluate development progress after every iteration is completed before reviewing what tasks should be included for inclusion in future iteration releases to maximize return on investment and align with business and user goals.
Agile models typically consist of frequent releases.
Agile Models promote continuous software improvements with quick fixes, updates and new features delivered promptly as quickly as possible, along with easy changes or modifications that allow for simple updates or alterations when required.
Their lack of detailed planning makes budget, time, and people estimates difficult. In contrast, their openness to change makes counting them challenging as a project takes shape - agile models rely heavily on collaboration across development teams and between cross-functional teams, users, customers and partners alike to succeed.
Advantages: The Agile Model shortens development time while encouraging feedback between user and client during each development cycle to provide clarity of purpose to any given project.
Disadvantages: Agile can quickly go off track if it relies on user interactions that don't always convey themselves understandably, as well as requires minimal documentation and an experienced cross-functional dedicated team to make decisions effectively.
Model Iterative
Iterative models rely on incremental development - rather than starting from scratch with full specifications - of individual software components rather than expecting full specifications before implementation or review of the product prototype.
Once created, inspections should take place to review for potential enhancement. Iterative development ensures the product is made step-by-step (Design/Development, Test & Implement).
Advantages: This software development services model facilitates the early identification of issues as the product develops stepwise.
Disadvantages: Each iteration is rigid with no overlaps between iteration phases, making the Iterative Model more costly overall.
Model Spiral
Spiral models combine elements from both Iterative Development Models and Waterfall Models to take the best from both forms of production - top-down production as well as bottom-up.
Spiral models consist of four phases - Identification, Design/Construction/Build/Evaluation and Risk Analysis, which repeat in a spiral fashion.
Spirals focus on comprehensive risk analysis. To take full advantage of the Spiral model and reap its full benefits, hiring people who possess strong risk evaluation skills is vital for its successful implementation.
Iteration cycles typically last six months, starting with careful planning, risk evaluation, prototyping and evaluation tasks before proceeding to prototyping or evaluation phases.
Spiral cycles significantly lengthen project completion timelines. Customers in this model play an active role during the review and exploration stages; however, no changes may be made during the development phase.
Advantages: Dividing development projects into phases and controlling risk is beneficial, while budgeting and scheduling become easier since roadblocks can be identified earlier.
The Spiral Model also makes budgeting and scheduling more accurate as roadblocks become apparent sooner.
Disadvantages: Since this model is heavily customized, repurposing can be challenging, and it requires team members who possess expertise in risk assessment.
The Prototype Model
Prototype Models are built to represent a wide range of software components visually. Their main objective is to reduce gaps of miscommunication regarding requirements while offering plenty of feedback and collaboration opportunities with users.
Advantages: Prototype models offer cost- and time-effective prototyping that involves users actively in its creation.
Disadvantages: This model could drastically lengthen development timelines and cause users to become confused about the difference between the prototype and final product.
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Conclusion
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