What do you understand by life cycle of software development? Explain briefly the various stages of software development life-cycle.

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Sra

The software development life cycle (SDLC) is a process used by software development teams to design, develop, test, and deploy high-quality software applications. It consists of several stages that help ensure the successful completion of a software project.

The various stages of the software development life cycle include:

1. Planning: This stage involves understanding the project requirements, defining objectives, and creating a plan that outlines the resources, timeframes, and goals for the project. It includes activities like gathering requirements, conducting feasibility studies, and creating a project scope.

2. Requirement Analysis: In this stage, the project team works closely with stakeholders to gather detailed information about the software requirements. This includes defining functional and non-functional requirements and creating use cases and user stories to understand the expected behaviors and functionalities of the software.

3. Design: Once the requirements are defined, the design phase begins. This involves creating architectural and detailed designs for the software system. The design stage includes activities like system architecture design, database design, and user interface design. It also involves defining the software's overall structure, interface, and data flow.

4. Development: In this stage, the actual coding and development of the software solution take place. Programmers write the code based on the design specifications, using programming languages, frameworks, and tools. It is important to follow coding best practices, maintain a clean and modular codebase, and frequently test the code to ensure its correctness.

5. Testing: The testing phase is crucial for identifying and fixing any defects or issues in the software. It involves various types of testing, such as unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and user acceptance testing. Testing helps ensure that the software meets the specified requirements, functions correctly, and is free from bugs or errors.

6. Deployment: Once the software is fully developed and tested, it is ready for deployment. This involves installing and configuring the software on the desired platforms or environments. It is essential to consider factors like scalability, performance, and security during the deployment process.

7. Maintenance: After the software is deployed, it enters the maintenance phase. This involves providing ongoing support, fixing any bugs or issues that arise, and releasing updates or enhancements to improve the software's functionality or address user feedback. Maintenance also includes activities like monitoring system performance, conducting periodic audits, and ensuring data security.

It is important to note that the software development life cycle is not a linear process; it can be iterative or incremental. Iterative development involves repeating the stages multiple times, refining the software with each iteration. Incremental development involves delivering the software in small increments or modules, allowing for faster feedback and adaptation.