What is Software Development Life Cycle?

In this chapter we’ll be looking on SDLC as a tool for development, what are the factors for its proper implementation and special section on software security from the point of view of SDLC. These topics will guide us in knowing the important of SDLC in a web developer or programmers life which will be extensively explain in eh next chapter.

What is SLDC?

Let us again go back first to the basic definition of SDLC. Software Development Life Cycle or SDLC is a model of a detailed plan on how to create, develop, implement and eventually fold the software. It’s a complete plan outlining how the software will be born, raised and eventually be retired from its function. Although some of the models don’t explicitly say how the program will be folded, it’s already common knowledge that software will eventually have it’s ending in a never ending world of change web, software and programming technology. 

There are many different Models of SDLC where each of them will be perfect for a certain business setting. Other models are chosen based on the available resources and skills, while others are chosen based on the language or toolkits they will be using. Usually, these models are divided into two categories: the Waterfall Model and the Iterative model. The Waterfall Model of SDLC refers to the idea of creating software by using traditional planning, testing and implementation. Using this model, developers will have strong documentation of software they develop.  

However, some developers saw this as too formal and time consuming since certain stages will have to be repeated before it can actually come out with the right tool. This model takes up too much time, it’s quite impossible to create software if the developers are on the tight schedule. The Iterative model on the other hand, uses constant modeling or prototyping. Developers just take a look at the problem (objective based) and constantly create prototypes to be constantly evaluated by the intended users. 

Developers could use either a well known programming knowledge or a web toolkit depending on the complexity of programming language. It’s time bound and these model can strive in a pressured environment. However, the documentation of this type of SDLC is rather doubtful since constant revisions of software require constant change of documentation. It’s often left out when a project is time bound or under great pressure. 

Factors for Success 

Software developers will always be in a business setting. Developers will always have to look at the demand of the market, the popular price of different services and the actual earnings of this software. Using SDLC, developers will have a great chance of developing highly likable software for popular use. 

There are several factors that will ensure the success of the implementation of SDLC. These factors are not the steps in SDLC rather they are the external factors that will dictate whether SDLC will be followed which in turn assure the success of the developed program. 

1. Management Support 

Developers, especially those who are working with a company have to work with managers in creating this type of software. Developing software will always have its price since it will involve humans working on software. Developers need to have the support of the management as much as possible since the management will dictate whether they need the product or not. For example, managers will say no to constant prototyping since it will always involve lots of personnel who should be working instead of testing the software. 

2. Technical and Business Expertise 

There are regular programmers and there are really smart programmers who just know what to do even when the software’s objective is presented for the first time. These programmers know what SDLC model to use together with the languages or toolkits that need to be learn to ensure this program is a success. On the other hand, business expertise is also important in software development cycle since they will dictate the demand for particular software. Business expertise is also important in SDLC since they will determine whether the software will eventually be a factor in time and money saving. 

3. Focal Point Designation

Some parts of the program should be considered more important than other parts. Choosing which one is very important since it will not only help or destroy the process of SDLC, it will also assist in developing or the burying of the software. Of course each program should be thoroughly checked but with a focal point, there will always be some strong points in the developed software compared to a mediocre service. 

4. Well Defined Procedures 

In every process there are procedures that seemed identical with another procedure. Developers should have a clear understanding of each phase, the goal of a certain step and evaluate of if the goal of a certain procedure is followed. 

5. Proper Documentation for Maintenance 

Granting the results of the software development is a success; it’s time to place them in all in papers. Success in building software will only be gauged once they are released to the pubic with ease. Although there will be problems, it’s up to the developers to maintain these programs until these are decommissioned. If worst comes to worst and it has to go back to the drawing board, documentation will tell the developers where they might have done it wrong. 

Security 

In any software and program, security should be the number priority of any developers. The ability to handle information and protect them from attack will tell how professional the business is. It’s important to look for these defects before they are actually released to the public. According to IBM, once the program is released for public used, fixing bugs found the system costs 100 times more than fixing the bugs in initial phase. Unfortunately, HP wasn’t too optimistic with testing either: 80% of the reported defects or bugs in the system weren’t detected during the testing phase. 

To answer this lack of security, developers should think of the weakest link in their program and test them for security. When manpower is not a problem, a team should be created dedicated to check on the website or software’s security. These team is not only randomly picked, they have to the best security people you could find. There are developers who have smartly compartmentalized the program so that each step could be independent with each other. If one system is attacked, there is still a big chance the other program will be secured from further damage. 

The principle of least privilege should be applied at all times to ensure the success of the program. Although it cannot directly prevent attacks, least privilege will ensure your software will not work unexpectedly, preventing the software to show its vulnerability to hacks. 

Any software development in itself is a great process that should be followed by any developer for a successful program. However, each developer should consider the external and internal factors that will ensure each phase of development will flow smoothly. Lastly, developers should never, in any way, compromise the software’s security since it will dictate the company identity as well as future.