CH 3
CH 3
CH 3
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Ch. 3 Software Development Life Cycle
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Activities of SDLC
3.3 Generic Process Model
3.4 SDLC
3.5 Waterfall Model
3.6 Incremental Process Model
3.7 Prototyping Model
3.8 Spiral Model
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3.1 Introduction:
Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC):
A software development life cycle model (also termed process model) is a pictorial
and diagrammatic representation of the software life cycle.
A life cycle model represents all the methods required to make a software
product transit through its life cycle stages.
It also captures the structure in which these methods are to be undertaken.
In other words,
A life cycle model maps the various activities performed on a software product
from its inception to retirement.
Different life cycle models may plan the necessary development activities to
phases in different ways.
During any life cycle stage, more than one activity may also be carried out.
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3.1 Introduction:
SDLC is the acronym of Software Development Life Cycle.
It is also called as Software Development Process.
SDLC is a framework defining tasks performed at each step in the software
development process.
ISO/IEC 12207 is an international standard for software life-cycle processes.
It aims to be the standard that defines all the tasks required for developing and
maintaining software.
“ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) and IEC
(the International Electrotechnical Commission) form the specialized system for
worldwide standardization.”
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Need of SDLC
The development team must determine a suitable life cycle model for a particular plan
and then observe to it.
Without using an exact life cycle model, the development of a software product would not
be in a systematic and disciplined manner.
When a team is developing a software product, there must be a clear understanding among
team representative about when and what to do.
Otherwise, it would point to chaos and project failure.
This problem can be defined by using an example.
Suppose a software development issue is divided into various parts and the parts are
assigned to the team members.
From then on, suppose the team representative is allowed the freedom to develop the roles
assigned to them in whatever way they like. It is possible that one representative might start
writing the code for his part, another might choose to prepare the test documents first,
and some other engineer might begin with the design phase of the roles assigned to him.
This would be one of the perfect methods for project failure. 5
Need of SDLC:
A software life cycle model describes entry and exit criteria for each phase.
A phase can begin only if its stage-entry criteria have been fulfilled.
So without a software life cycle model, the entry and exit criteria for a stage
cannot be recognized.
Without software life cycle models, it becomes tough for software project
managers to monitor the progress of the project.
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3.2 Activities of SDLC:
SDLC provides a series of steps to be followed to design and develop a software product
efficiently.
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Communication:
This is the first step where the user initiates the request for a desired software
product.
He contacts the service provider and tries to negotiate the terms. He submits his
request to the service providing organization in writing.
Requirement Gathering:
This step onwards the software development team works to carry on the project.
The team holds discussions with various stakeholders from problem domain and
tries to bring out as much information as possible on their requirements.
The requirements are contemplated and segregated into user requirements, system
requirements and functional requirements.
The requirements are collected using a number of practices as given -
studying the existing or obsolete(outdated) system and software,
conducting interviews of users and developers,
referring to the database or
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collecting answers from the questionnaires.
Feasibility Study:
After requirement gathering, the team comes up with a rough plan of software process.
At this step the team analyzes if software can be made to fulfill all requirements of the user
and if there is any possibility of software being no more useful.
It is found out, if the project is financially, practically and technologically feasible for the
organization to take up.
There are many algorithms available, which help the developers to conclude the
feasibility of a software project.
System Analysis:
At this step the developers decide a roadmap of their plan and try to bring up the best
software model suitable for the project.
System analysis includes Understanding of software product limitations, learning system
related problems or changes to be done in existing systems beforehand, identifying and
addressing the impact of project on organization and personnel etc.
The project team analyzes the scope of the project and plans the schedule and resources
accordingly.
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Software Design:
Next step is to bring down whole knowledge of requirements and analysis on the desk
and design the software product.
The inputs from users and information gathered in requirement gathering phase are the
inputs of this step.
The output of this step comes in the form of two designs; logical design and physical
design.
Engineers produce meta-data and data dictionaries, logical diagrams, data-flow diagrams
and in some cases pseudo codes.
Coding:
This step is also known as programming phase.
The implementation of software design starts in terms of writing program code in the
suitable programming language and developing error-free executable programs
efficiently.
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Testing:
An estimate says that 50% of whole software development process should be tested.
Errors may run the software from critical level to its own removal.
Software testing is done while coding by the developers and thorough testing is
conducted by testing experts at various levels of code such as module testing, program
testing, product testing, in-house testing and testing the product at user’s end.
Early discovery of errors and their remedy is the key to reliable software.
Integration:
Software may need to be integrated with the libraries, databases and other program(s).
This stage of SDLC is involved in the integration of software with outer world entities.
Implementation:
This means installing the software on user machines.
At times, software needs post-installation configurations at user end.
Software is tested for portability and adaptability and integration related issues are
solved during implementation.
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Operation and Maintenance:
This phase confirms the software operation in terms of more efficiency and less errors.
If required, the users are trained on, or aided with the documentation on how to operate
the software and how to keep the software operational.
The software is maintained timely by updating the code according to the changes taking
place in user end environment or technology.
This phase may face challenges from hidden bugs and real-world unidentified problems.
Disposition:
As time elapses, the software may decline on the performance front.
It may go completely obsolete or may need intense upgradation.
Hence a pressing need to eliminate a major portion of the system arises.
This phase includes archiving data and required software components, closing down the
system, planning disposition activity and terminating system at appropriate end-of-
system time.
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3.3 Generic Process Model:
The generic process model is an abstraction of the software development
process.
It is used in most software since it provides a base for them.
The generic process model encompasses the following five steps:
1. Communication
2. Planning
3. Modeling
4. Construction
5. Deployment
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3.3 Generic Process Model:
Communication:
In this step, we plan the steps for project development. After completing the final
discussion, we report on the project.
Planning plays a key role in the software development process.
We discuss the risks involved in the project.
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Modeling:
In this step, we create a model to understand the project in the real world. We
showcase the model to all the developers. If changes are required, we implement
them in this step.
We develop a practical model to get a better understanding of the project.
Construction
In this phase, we submit the project to the clients for their feedback and add
any missing requirements.
We get the client feedback.
Depending on the feedback form, we make the appropriate changes.
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3.4 Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC):
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3.4 Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC):
A typical Software Development Life Cycle consists of the following stages:
For Example, A client wants to have an application which concerns money transactions. In
this method, the requirement has to be precise like what kind of operations will be done, how
it will be done, in which currency it will be done, etc.
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Stage1: Planning and requirement analysis:
Once the required function is done, an analysis is complete with auditing the feasibility of the
growth of a product. In case of any ambiguity, a signal is set up for further discussion.
Once the requirement is understood, the SRS (Software Requirement Specification) document
is created. The developers should thoroughly follow this document and also should be
reviewed by the customer for future reference.
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Stage3: Designing the Software:
This phase is about to bring down all the knowledge of requirements, analysis, and design of
the software project.
This phase is the product of the last two, like inputs from the customer and requirement
gathering.
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Stage5: Testing:
After the code is generated, it is tested against the requirements to make sure that the
products are solving the needs addressed and gathered during the requirements stage.
During this stage, unit testing, integration testing, system testing, acceptance testing are done.
Stage6: Deployment:
Once the software is certified, and no bugs or errors are stated, then it is deployed.
Then based on the assessment, the software may be released as it is or with suggested
enhancement in the object segment.
After the software is deployed, then its maintenance begins.
Stage7: Maintenance:
Once when the client starts using the developed systems, then the real issues come up and
requirements to be solved from time to time.
This procedure where the care is taken for the developed product is known as maintenance.
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3.5 Waterfall Model:
Waterfall model is the pioneer of the SDLC processes. In fact, it was the first model which was
It is divided into phases and the output of one phase becomes the input of the next phase. It is
In this model, the software development activity is divided into different phases and each phase
In waterfall, the development of one phase starts only when the previous phase is complete.
Because of this nature, each phase of the waterfall model is quite precise and well-defined.
Since the phases fall from a higher level to a lower level, like a waterfall, It’s named the waterfall
model.
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3.5 Waterfall Model:
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This phase consists of two different activities.
Requirement gathering and analysis:
Firstly all the requirements regarding the software are gathered from the customer
and then the gathered requirements are analyzed.
The goal of the analysis part is to remove incompleteness (an incomplete requirement is
one in which some parts of the actual requirements have been omitted) and
inconsistencies (an inconsistent requirement is one in which some part of the
requirement contradicts some other part).
Requirement specification:
These analyzed requirements are documented in a software requirement specification
(SRS) document. SRS document serves as a contract between the development team
and customers.
Any future dispute between the customers and the developers can be settled by
examining the SRS document.
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3. Design
The goal of this phase is to convert the requirements acquired in the SRS into a format that
can be coded in a programming language.
It includes high-level and detailed design as well as the overall software architecture.
A Software Design Document is used to document all of this effort (SDD)
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5. Integration and System testing
Integration of different modules is undertaken soon after they have been coded and unit
tested.
Integration of various modules is carried out incrementally over a number of steps.
During each integration step, previously planned modules are added to the partially
integrated system and the resultant system is tested.
Finally, after all the modules have been successfully integrated and tested, the full working
system is obtained and system testing is carried out on this.
System testing consists of three different kinds of testing activities as described below.
Alpha testing: Alpha testing is the system testing performed by the development team.
Beta testing: Beta testing is the system testing performed by a friendly set of customers.
Acceptance testing: After the software has been delivered, the customer performed
acceptance testing to determine whether to accept the delivered software or reject it.
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6. Maintenance
The effort spent on maintenance is 60% of the total effort spent to develop full software.
Corrective Maintenance: This type of maintenance is carried out to correct errors that
Adaptive Maintenance: Adaptive maintenance is usually required for porting the software
to work in a new environment such as working on a new computer platform or with a new
operating system.
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Why Do We Use the Waterfall Model?
The waterfall model is a software development model used in the context of large, complex
software development.
The waterfall model is useful in situations where the project requirements are well-
It is often used for large-scale projects with long timelines, where there is little room for
error and the project stakeholders need to have a high level of confidence in the outcome.
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Features of the Waterfall Model:
Sequential Approach: The waterfall model involves a sequential approach to software
development, where each phase of the project is completed before moving on to the next
one.
Document-Driven: The waterfall model relies heavily on documentation to ensure that the
project is well-defined and the project team is working towards a clear set of goals.
Quality Control: The waterfall model places a high emphasis on quality control and testing
at each phase of the project, to ensure that the final product meets the requirements and
Rigorous Planning: The waterfall model involves a rigorous planning process, where the
project scope, timelines, and deliverables are carefully defined and monitored
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3.6 Incremental Process Model:
Mills Etal (1980) has suggested an alternative process model, which combines
the advantages of evolutionary prototyping with the control required for large-
scale development.
Software is built in an incremental fashion.
Incremental Model is a process of software development where requirements
divided into multiple standalone modules of the software development cycle.
Each module goes through the requirements, design, implementation and
testing phases.
Every subsequent release of the module adds function to the previous release.
The process continues until the complete system achieved.
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3.6 Incremental Process Model:
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The various phases of incremental model are as follows:
1. Requirement analysis:
In the first phase of the incremental model, the product analysis expertise identifies the
requirements.
And the system functional requirements are understood by the requirement analysis team.
To develop the software under the incremental model, this phase performs a crucial role.
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The various phases of incremental model are as follows:
4. Implementation:
Implementation phase enables the coding phase of the development system.
It involves the final coding that design in the designing and development phase and tests
the functionality in the testing phase.
After completion of this phase, the number of the product working is enhanced and
upgraded up to the final system product
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Advantage of Incremental Model:
• Errors are easy to be recognized.
• Easier to test and debug
• More flexible.
• Simple to manage risk because it handled during its iteration.
• The Client gets important functionality early.
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3.7 Prototyping Model:
It works best in scenarios where the project’s requirements are not known in
detail.
It is an iterative, trial and error method which takes place between developer
and client.
user comment and refining this through many versions until an adequate
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3.7 Prototyping Model:
Customer
Test – Drives
Mock-up
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3.7 Prototyping Model:
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3.7 Prototyping Model:
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3.7 Prototyping Model:
Step 4: Initial user evaluation:
In this stage, the proposed system is presented to the client for an initial
evaluation.
It helps to find out the strength and weakness of the working model.
Comment and suggestion are collected from the customer and provided to the
developer.
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3.7 Prototyping Model:
Step 6: Implement Product and Maintain:
Once the final system is developed based on the final prototype, it is
thoroughly tested and deployed to production.
The system undergoes routine maintenance for minimizing downtime and
prevent large-scale failures.
2. Evolutionary prototype
3. Incremental prototype
4. Extreme prototype
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Rapid Throwaway prototypes:
Rapid throwaway is based on the preliminary requirement.
It is quickly developed to show how the requirement will look visually.
The customer’s feedback helps drives changes to the requirement, and the prototype is
again created until the requirement is baseline.
In this method, a developed prototype will be discarded and will not be a part of the
ultimately accepted prototype.
This technique is useful for exploring ideas and getting instant feedback for customer
requirements.
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Evolutionary Prototyping:
Here, the prototype developed is incrementally refined based on customer’s feedback
until it is finally accepted.
It helps you to save time as well as effort. That’s because developing a prototype from
scratch for every interaction of the process can sometimes be very frustrating.
This model is helpful for a project which uses a new technology that is not well
understood.
It is also used for a complex project where every functionality must be checked once.
It is helpful when the requirement is not stable or not understood clearly at the initial
stage.
Incremental Prototyping
In incremental Prototyping, the final product is decimated into different small prototypes
and developed individually.
Eventually, the different prototypes are merged into a single product. T
his method is helpful to reduce the feedback time between the user and the application
development team. 42
Extreme Prototyping:
Extreme prototyping method is mostly used for web development. It is consists of three
sequential phases.
Basic prototype with all the existing page is present in the HTML format.
You can simulate data process using a prototype services layer.
The services are implemented and integrated into the final prototype.
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3.8 Spiral Model:
The spiral model, initially proposed by Boehm (1988).
It is an evolutionary software process model that couples the iterative feature
of prototyping with the controlled and systematic aspects of the linear
sequential model.
It implements the potential for rapid development of new versions of the
software.
Using the spiral model, the software is developed in a series of incremental
releases.
During the early iterations, the additional release may be a paper model or
prototype.
During later iterations, more and more complete versions of the engineered
system are produced.
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3.8 Spiral Model:
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3.8 Spiral Model:
Each cycle in the spiral is divided into four parts:
Objectives determination and identify alternative solutions:
Requirements are gathered from the customers and the objectives are identified,
elaborated, and analyzed at the start of every phase.
Then alternative solutions possible for the phase are proposed in this quadrant.
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3.8 Spiral Model:
Develop the next version of the Product:
During the third quadrant, the identified features are developed and verified through
testing.
At the end of the third quadrant, the next version of the software is available.
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When To Use the Spiral Model?
When a project is vast in software engineering, a spiral model is utilized.
A spiral approach is utilized when frequent releases are necessary.
When it is appropriate to create a prototype
When evaluating risks and costs is crucial
The spiral approach is beneficial for projects with moderate to high risk.
The SDLC’s spiral model is helpful when requirements are complicated and ambiguous.
If modifications are possible at any moment
When committing to a long-term project is impractical owing to shifting economic
priorities.
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Advantages of the Spiral Model
Below are some advantages of the Spiral Model.
Risk Handling:
The projects with many unknown risks that occur as the development proceeds, in that
case, Spiral Model is the best development model to follow due to the risk analysis and
risk handling at every phase.
Good for large projects:
It is recommended to use the Spiral Model in large and complex projects.
Flexibility in Requirements:
Change requests in the Requirements at a later phase can be incorporated accurately by
using this model.
Customer Satisfaction:
Customers can see the development of the product at the early phase of the software
development and thus, they habituated with the system by using it before completion of
the total product.
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Iterative and Incremental Approach:
The Spiral Model provides an iterative and incremental approach to software development,
allowing for flexibility and adaptability in response to changing requirements or
unexpected events.
Emphasis on Risk Management:
The Spiral Model places a strong emphasis on risk management, which helps to
minimize the impact of uncertainty and risk on the software development process.
Improved Communication:
The Spiral Model provides for regular evaluations and reviews, which can improve
communication between the customer and the development team.
Improved Quality:
The Spiral Model allows for multiple iterations of the software development process,
which can result in improved software quality and reliability.
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Disadvantages of the Spiral Model
Below are some main disadvantages of the spiral model.
Complex:
The Spiral Model is much more complex than other SDLC models.
Expensive:
Spiral Model is not suitable for small projects as it is expensive.
Too much dependability on Risk Analysis:
The successful completion of the project is very much dependent on Risk Analysis. Without
very highly experienced experts, it is going to be a failure to develop a project using this
model.
Difficulty in time management:
As the number of phases is unknown at the start of the project, time estimation is very
difficult.
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Disadvantages of the Spiral Model
Complexity:
The Spiral Model can be complex, as it involves multiple iterations of the software
development process.
Time-Consuming:
The Spiral Model can be time-consuming, as it requires multiple evaluations and
reviews.
Resource Intensive:
The Spiral Model can be resource-intensive, as it requires a significant investment in
planning, risk analysis, and evaluations.
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