Software Development Cycle - 8 Stage Version

Syllabus Detail

  • The purpose and stages (8) of the software development cycle (SDC).  12 ATAR 

Background

  • This is different from the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) in that it focusses on the development of the software.
  • SDLC can apply to hardware, software or a combination of both.
  • SDC only applies to software.

Stages of the Software Development Cycle

Analyse detailed requirements

  • What is required of this software?
  • Who is going to use it?
  • Why are they going to use it?
  • When will they use it?
  • What problem will the software overcome?

Design data and algorithms

  • Plan a solution to the questions above.
  • Create flowcharts and show the client to see if these will provide a workable solution.

Code data structures and instructions

  • Do the programming.
  • Do commenting within the code so other developers can understand exactly what the code does. Do this in small chunks at a time.
  • Make the instructions for how the program will work. (use your commenting for this)

Debug syntax and logic errors

  • Run your programming to find any errors.

Test to meet specifications

  • Select other test staff or people to run the program you made on exactly the software it is going to be used by with your client.
  • Have a report showing details of how the program ran as part of this testing. Try it on different operating systems and hardware.

Document internally and externally

  • Make a report to show the commenting on your code (internal documentation)
  • Make a user guide to show the end user (secrerary or other) for how to actually use the software in their location

Implement and test with live data

  • Start the program in the client's work environment with actual data to see if it works.
  • Do it over again on different computers to make sure it works for the client on all machines.

Evaluate performance of the program

  • Survey the staff using the program to see if it works as expected.
  • Make note of what changes should be made and fix those.
  • Consider sending out an update of the software after you have again tested to make sure the changes have been successful.

 

Step 5 - Further Research

  1. Quizlet HERE note they have only 7 stages, but it is quite similar.

  

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