Types of Software Development Life Cycle

We have been taking about software development in the previous posts. With this post I will be discussing about the types of software development life cycle. I know most of you may have already know what are these but let us have a closer and clearer view on how these life cycles works. Before we start let us first talked about the SDLC model.

SDLC or Software Development Life Cycle is a model or framework that displays the activities and processes that are done during each phase of software development project. Models are need in order to understand the complexity of computer systems as well as the requirement needed in order to make sure that a powerful software is done!

Let us now talk about the types of SDLC models that are being used by most of the software developers today.

·         The Waterfall Model – One of the classic and most widely used SDLC model. It has a linear sequential process in which the progress is seen as flowing steadily downwards which looks like a waterfall. This model slices the software development process into 6 different stages namely:

o   Project Planning

o   Requirement Definition

o   Design

o   Development

o   Integration and Test

o   Installation

o   Acceptance

The waterfall model is also the basis of all the SDLC models and methodologies. 

·         Spiral Model – If you are working on large, expensive and complicated projects then Spiral model is the best for you! This model combines the features of prototyping (will discuss this below) and waterfall model.  This model uses many phases on the waterfall model which are also in the same order separated by planning, risk assessment and prototypes and simulation.

·         RAD – Rapid Application Development offers interesting approach as it focuses on developing the prototype first.  The users will experience the prototype which will displays on how the actual product will work. Changes and alterations are being done during the prototyping process. Also, less communication with the developers is observed.

·         Agile Methodology – Today, the SDLC model that is very popular is the Agile methodologies. This is a combination of various software development methodologies that are based on iterative and incremental development. Huge collaboration is involved here as solutions are being discovered between the team members.

I have detailed four major part of the SDLC model. On the next post I will be taking about the advantages and disadvantages of these SDLC methodologies.