Software Development – The Complete Guide For 2024

Software is the essence of our everyday life. In this ultra-advanced technological era where everything is run on computers, we cannot undermine the importance of software. 

From finance, education, healthcare to manufacturing and retail, software has helped us enhance efficiency, security and productivity in all sectors. Software development has made it possible for us to live in a world of technological comforts. Whether its e-learning, online banking, instant payments, smart cities, automated features or personalized services, software plays a crucial role in all. 

For businesses, software development services has assisted them in streamlining processes, enhancing customer experience, automating tasks, reducing cost and establishing a global brand. 

This blog aims to delve into the intricate concepts of software development. It is to ensure that you are one-to-one with software development cycle, methodologies, languages and types to explore its potential in your organization.

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What is software development?

Software development is the process of creating, designing, programming, testing and maintaining the applications, framework and other software components. 

In simple words it is the process of writing and maintaining the source of code of software applications. So, the software developers have to research, write codes, create prototypes, modify software components and test the applications to build bug-free software. 

Please note that software is a set of instructions, code or program in a PC, mobile or any other device. These set of instructions enables the device to operate in the exact way it commands. 

For example, we have software apps in our smartphones which enables us to instantly make payments or transfer money. It is because the program for that app is coded in a way that it connects us with our bank account virtually allowing us to send and receive money.

There are 4 types of software namely:

1. System software
2. Application software
3. Programming software
4. Driver software

On the contrary, there are 10 prominent software development types. We will discuss about these types in detail later in the blog.

With every passing day, software development market is growing at a rapid pace. Here are some statistics on software development market trends.

1. Software development market will grow at a CAGR of 22.54% from 2020 to 2027 reaching $1039 million.
2. 87.4% of all software development projects are enterprise application development. 
3. Further, 53.6% of the software projects are based on business automation.
4. 7.7% of the software development companies offer full cycle software development services, from building, testing, managing and maintaining software.
5. Asia Pacific will witness a rapid rise in software development and testing market with an expected CAGR of 8%.
6. Approximately 80% of the top 500 companies employ offshore teams for their software maintenance and daily operations. 
7. India is the top destination for companies looking to onboard offshore software teams.
   
   

These are not just random numbers but a credible representation of growing software development trend across the world. 

Let us now discuss the different types of software development.
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Software Development Types

Software development is divided into 8 major categories. 

Application Development

Application development refers to the development of software programs for devices like computers, smartphones, tablets and other devices. Businesses usually build these applications to assist users in completing a specific task.

Web Development

Web development simply means developing a website on the internet. It can refer to building a single static page or complex web applications. 

A web developer develops and organizes a web of interconnected web pages. He also integrates several APIs to enhance the functioning and efficiency of the website.

Mobile App Development

Mobile app development refers to the development of feature rich mobile apps. These software applications are built specially to function on mobile devices like Android and iOS. 

Mobile app development is further divided into native app development and cross platform app development. 

Data Science 

Data science or data analytics is the process of collecting, processing and analysing large chunks of data to uncover hidden trends or insights. 

Businesses use data analytics services to get valuable insights that helps them in product development, business strategy and marketing.

Another area where data science has gained prominence is AI applications. These applications are based on AI models which are trained on large datasets according to the task they are assigned to perform.

Software tools development

Software tool development is the process of building software tool kit or libraries. These software tools simplify the work of other developers helping them easily build, test and deploy their applications.

Some of the top software development tools are Kubernetes, Docker, AppDynamics, Selenium and more.

API Development

API also known as Application Programming Interface enables 3^rd party websites or applications to use the functions that API relates to. 

You should have heard about ChatGPT API. It enables businesses to integrate smart AI functioning into their customer relations, sales and other departments. 

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing or cloud development services refers to the development of applications using the cloud architecture. Cloud computing features like microservices, CD and DevOps offers businesses flexibility, agility and scalability to sustain the dynamic market needs.

Database Development

Database development or back-end development is often what goes on behind the scenes. Back-end developers process, manage and organize large amounts of data for websites or applications. 

Back-end development is the backbone for business who have to deal with large chunks of data. 

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What is software development lifecycle and SDLC phases?

Now that we know what is software development, let’s understand how its done.

You just cannot have an app idea and start coding the app out of the blue.

Every software development project follows a pre-defined process to build and maintain the applications. It is to ensure that the software application meets the global standard and business needs.

What are these processes? How many software development phases are there?

SDLC short for software development lifecycle are pre-set phases that guides the team on how to approach a specific software project. 

In other words, SDLC offers a structured plan to the development team to design, build, test and maintain high quality software. 

It is a standard software development procedure mandatory for every company to follow.

The sole purpose is to introduce a streamline process to build robust products within timeline and budget. With SDLC you take one step at a time minutely designing, building and testing your application features and functionalities. This also enables you to have a smooth workflow and avoid last stage modifications in the app. 

Software development lifecycle helps you:

1. Build standard software applications
2. Meet project timeline and budget
3. Fulfil project business needs and expectations
4. Have a streamlined development process
5. Keep clients informed about every development stage
6. Test the software components minutely as your progress
7. Easily collect feedback and modify the application as required
8. Minimizes the risk
9. Adds flexibility to the project development

The international standard in software engineering for the software life cycle process is ISO/IEC/IEEE 12207.

What are SDLC phases?

There are 7 software development lifecycle phases.

1. Planning

In the conventional software development lifecycle, there are seven distinct phases, with the initial phase being planning. During this stage, team members strategically outline:

1. The project's approach
2. Project goals
3. The ultimate objective
4. Identified risks
5. Delivery timeline
6. Development workflow structure

A successful project planning process involves a comprehensive consideration of client needs, culminating in a meticulously curated plan that not only aligns with their requirements but also ensures the delivery of a high-quality end product.

2. Requirement Gathering

This stage involves a comprehensive assessment of the project's requirements, serving as the foundation for the entire development journey. Business analysts play a crucial role in this phase, crafting a document encompassing the project's vision, goals, risks, market analysis, and all other essential requirements.

The software requirement specification document delineates:

1. Client expectations for the project
2. Client needs and the software's intended solutions to address their pain points
3. Strengths and weaknesses of the existing system
4. Client preference for building software from scratch or modifying an existing one
5. Project deadlines and budget constraints
6. Associated risks
7. Hardware, software, and security specifications
8. Market analysis
9. Competitor analysis
10. Potential areas for improvement
11. Resource allocation
12. Capacity planning

This comprehensive understanding of project requirements, risks, and targets provides clarity. Based on this analysis, the development team can proceed with the actual software development, armed with a solid foundation for guiding their efforts.

3.Designing and prototyping

Once a thorough understanding of project requirements is achieved and the Software Requirement Specification (SRS) is approved, designers and architects can initiate their work on software design. Design holds a crucial role in software development, serving as the initial point of engagement for the audience before delving into the specifics.

Designers adhere to established patterns and frameworks such as TOGAF to maintain consistency and facilitate reuse in the software or app architecture. 

A standard software design should encompass key elements including:

1. Software Architecture (coding languages, interfaces, databases, operating systems, APIs, pre-built templates, etc.)
2. Infrastructure components
3. Number of Features
4. UI Design
5. Security Requirements (SSL encryption, database migrations, password protection, etc.)

The design team documents all these specifications in a Design Document Specification (DDS), subjecting it to stakeholder review and approval based on factors like risk assessment, design modularity, time constraints, and product strength.

During this phase, some software development companies may choose to create a prototype. While this can be time-consuming, it proves beneficial in preventing significant modifications later in the development process. 

The prototype serves as a tangible representation of the intended software, aiding stakeholders in visualizing the final product and providing valuable insights for refinement.

4.Software Development

One of the pivotal stages in software development is the actual development phase. The development team initiates this step by immersing themselves in the Design Document Specification (DDS) to comprehend the software's processes thoroughly. Whether it's a white-label or custom software, this phase demands substantial effort and time.

To expedite the coding process, software developers often leverage methodologies like Agile, complemented by various programming tools. The primary goal is to deliver an operational software solution that aligns seamlessly with the requirements outlined in the Software Requirement Specification (SRS) and DDS documents.

The choice of methodology, whether it be Agile with time-boxed 'sprints' or Waterfall with a single concentrated effort, plays a critical role in shaping the development phase. Coders prioritize the swift production of software while ensuring adherence to established standards. 

Regular involvement of all relevant business stakeholders is essential during this phase to guarantee that their expectations are met. The culmination of this phase results in a fully functional and testable software product.

5. Software Testing

The testing process should incorporate a combination of both manual and automated approaches to detect errors and bugs effectively. Automated testing tools, such as continuous integration tools like Codeship, can be employed to streamline and enhance the efficiency of the testing process.

Testers primarily concentrate on four key types of testing: performance testing, unit testing, security testing, and usability testing. Additionally, other testing types, including code quality testing, integration testing, acceptance testing, and non-functional testing, among others, are utilized to evaluate the software's overall quality and functionality.

Identified bugs or glitches during testing need swift attention to ensure the seamless and flawless operation of the software. Many developers prefer software development methods that allow concurrent testing during the development process, saving time and simplifying the testing procedure along with subsequent adjustments.

Numerous organizations place significant emphasis on the testing phase to ensure the delivery of a high-quality product. Following successful quality checks, the outcome is software that adheres to stringent quality standards, free of defects, stable, and ready for deployment.

6.Software Deployment

After completing all the stages of software development, the next step is to introduce the software to the world. In this phase, some projects may necessitate the entire team to create user manuals or develop instructional videos to guide end users before making the software accessible.

Ideally, the deployment phase is considered an integral part of Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) and often operates automatically, especially in large-scale enterprises. 

However, in highly regulated industries, manual approval is frequently necessary. This manual approval process can significantly impact the timeline of the custom software development process, as it ensures compliance with rigorous standards and regulations.

Regardless of the deployment approach, be it automated or manual, this phase marks the transition of the software from development to practical use, making it available to users and stakeholders. Successful deployment is crucial for delivering the intended value and functionality to end users.

7.Maintenance

This stage can aptly be described as the "end of the beginning," recognizing that the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) doesn't conclude with deployment. Even after the software is released, it is crucial to continuously monitor its performance to identify and address potential issues that may arise during consistent use.

Moreover, if there is a need to integrate advanced features into the software to align with the latest software development trends, the development team can implement these enhancements. Frequent updates to the software application are essential to maintain its smooth operation and adhere to quality standards, thereby attracting more users.

This ongoing process ensures that the software continues to meet the evolving needs of its users, creating a dynamic and responsive system that remains relevant and effective in the ever-changing landscape of technology and user expectations.

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Understanding software development languages

Some of the common languages and tools to develop software applications are:

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From the development of web and mobile applications to custom software solutions, Ampcome distinguishes itself through its unwavering commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. The company's dedication to staying at the forefront of technological advancements ensures that clients receive the most up-to-date solutions, driving success in an ever-evolving landscape.

When in search of a software development partner in India, Ampcome emerges as the best choice for exceptional services and results. Prospective clients are encouraged to get in touch today to experience the excellence and innovation that define Ampcome's approach to software development.