SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT LIFECYCLE (SDLC):
The software development lifecycle, or SDLC, is a systematic process for building software. It’s composed of several methodical stages that prioritize increasing system efficiencies, proper planning and rigorous testing. This enables organizations to produce the highest quality software in the shortest possible amount of time, all while minimizing costs.
In simple terms SDLC is a process followed by an industry to design, develop, test an high quality product efficiently.
Basically, SDLC model isn’t a single methodology but rather a framework that encompasses several different software development models. it includes :-
Waterfall model : The oldest and most straightforward software development model gets its name from its linear beginning-to-end flow. Each stage follows its own plan and must be completed before the next stage can begin, with one stage waterfalling into the next.
Iterative process model : Rather than aiming to produce a fully developed application all at once, developers quickly build an initial version of the software, then make improvements with succeeding small iterations. This approach is typically used to develop larger applications, allowing development teams to break the project down into more manageable chunks and deploy software to users more quickly.
Agile : Based on the iterative approach, the agile model divides the project into multiple cycles and delivers a succession of releases. Each release generates feedback that’s incorporated into the next release, allowing organizations to quickly adapt to an ever-changing market, while reducing risks particular to the waterfall model.
Spiral model : The spiral approach combines elements of the waterfall and iterative models. It repeats the planning, design, build and test stages of development in linear succession, making iterative improvements with each pass through the process.
Big bang model : This approach minimizes formal structure and processes, instead relying on large amounts of time, effort and resources to produce software. This makes it the most high-risk of the models and best suited for small teams.
V-model : This approach extends the waterfall model by incorporating testing and validation at each stage of development rather than including a standalone testing stage at the end.
“The Agile model is the most widely used and preferred model in the software industry today”. Although Agile has the most presence in most industries, organizations do adapt to a hybrid approach such as (Agile + Waterfall ) to fit certain projects or client needs. In healthcare and aerospace, where requirements are highly rigid and defined at the onset, Waterfall might still be applied.
What are the different stages of the SDLC?
Requirements analysis and planning : The SDLC begins with senior team members collecting requirements from the project’s stakeholders and determining the feasibility of the project, as well as planning a basic approach. This stage should clarify the scope of the project and any anticipated issues, risks and opportunities.
Defining requirements stage : Once the requirements have been gathered and analyzed, the next stage is to clearly define them and get them approved by stakeholders, typically through a Software Requirement Specification (SRS) document that includes all project specifications collected during the requirement analysis and planning phase.
Design stage : After the documented requirements are approved, product architects determine the best and most cost-effective architecture for the product based on the SRS. Typically, more than one design is proposed and documented in a Design Document Specification (DDS), with the most optimal one selected based on timeline, robustness and cost.
Development stage : The product is built in this stage. Developers generate the programming language code according to the DDS and follow the organization’s coding standards and guidelines. Project modules and new features are expected to be completed within the project’s established deadlines
Testing stage : As each component of the software build is completed, it’s sent to the testing team where it’s thoroughly tested to ensure it’s working as expected. Any discovered defects are documented and sent back to the development team for correction.
Deployment and maintenance stage : Once the first version of the software has been tested and any defects removed in the production environment, it’s delivered to a large group of end-users, who will often uncover bugs and errors that weren’t detected during the testing stage. Any user feedback will be incorporated into the next release of the software. Software updates, security patches and feature enhancements are also implemented during this stage.
The Role of DevOps in the SDLC
DevOps evolved from the agile methodology. As the name indicates, DevOps combines development and operations to become an integral component of development teams for deploying code faster and more frequently.
DevOps is a continuous process focused on delivering technology efficiently while ensuring systems are reliable and available for users. In today's agile world, teams release code faster and more frequently than ever before, with some deploying updates hundreds of times a day. This is a big change from 15–20 years ago when code was deployed only once every few months.
DevOps helps teams work more effectively throughout the entire software development process. It plays a key role in development, operations, and quality assurance, making it easier to deliver high-quality software quickly and reliably.
Benefits of DevOps in the SDLC:
Faster Delivery
Accelerates software releases through automation and continuous delivery.
Enables frequent deployments with minimal delays.
Improved Collaboration
Breaks down silos between development, operations, and quality assurance teams.
Promotes a culture of shared responsibility and communication.
Higher Quality Software
Continuous testing ensures bugs are caught early in the development process.
Automated monitoring improves reliability and performance.
Increased Efficiency
Automates repetitive tasks like testing, deployment, and monitoring.
Reduces manual work, allowing teams to focus on innovation.
Better Scalability
Easily adapts to growing workloads and project complexities.
Ensures infrastructure scales effectively to meet demand.
Enhanced Security
Incorporates security into every stage of the SDLC with DevSecOps.
Continuous monitoring helps identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.
Reduced Risk
Frequent releases lower the risk of large-scale failures.
Rollbacks and quick fixes are easier to implement.
Conclusion :
Ultimately, the choice of SDLC model and the integration of DevOps principles empower businesses to adapt to changing markets, reduce risks, and consistently meet user expectations laying the foundation for innovation and long-term success in the software industry.