Since the advent of software, the world has become much more sophisticated in the last two decades. In the world of information technology, businesses and individuals are continually innovating and developing software and programs.
Any software solution’s success depends on its methodology and the quality of effort put into its development.
The software development process used to be ambiguous and inefficient, resulting in inconsistent and unpredictable results before software development models were introduced. Standards to reduce mismatches between product expectations and prototypes were achieved by using standard frameworks and models. SDLC Vs Agile has been the standard question; let’s dive deep into understanding these.
The Software Development Life Cycle is referred to as SDLC. The SDLC helps us deliver software with the highest quality at the lowest cost.
Using SDLC, an organization can develop software in a well-structured way and maintain quality by testing and validating user specifications before releasing the software to a live environment. SDLC offers a well-structured flow of different phases.
An application development life cycle is also known as the Software Development Life Cycle or SDLC, and it can be used to develop both hardware and software components.
Iterative and incremental processes are incorporated into the SDLC model. Ensuring quick delivery of a working software solution, it focuses more on customer satisfaction and process adaptability.
SDLC consists of various phases.
The first step is to gather and analyze requirements. This process includes getting customer input, meeting senior managers, and learning about sales and marketing. The requirements should be properly documented. The document is referred to as the Software Requirements Specification (SRS). As part of the project life cycle, the product requirements are outlined.
Using the output of the initial phase, the SRS document (Software Requirement Specification), we generate a software architecture for implementing system development.
In addition to identifying and specifying the system and hardware requirements, this phase also helps define the overall programming language framework, database architecture, and system architecture.
The system design specifications are used as input in the next phase of the model.
A suitable programming language is used in the implementation of the project. Compilers, interpreters, code editors, integrated development environments, and debuggers can all be used to write and test programs. Depending on the application, the programming language can be chosen. During this phase, the developed module is tested unit by unit.
Testing ensures that a software program works as expected. This way, we can determine whether the final project meets the requirements. Testing includes integration testing, system testing, etc. Two modules are tested together during integration testing, and a system test is a complete project test.
Ultimately, the product is released in the market. A brand-new feature can be added to the product based on customer feedback. Existing customers receive maintenance and the required services. SDLC consists of these major phases.
Publishing the software does not end the process. You need to be checking, tracking and analyzing it on timely basis to ensure that you are extracting actual value out of it. The operation needs a lot of operational maintenance after launch.
Also Read: 4 SDLC Pain Points of Traditional Development and solving them with No-Code
The Agile model believes every project needs to be handled differently and existing methods must be tailored to suit the requirements properly. A release is divided into time boxes to deliver specific features.
An iterative approach is taken, and the working code is delivered after each iteration. Each build is incremental in terms of features; the final build holds all the features required by the customer.
As a result of its flexibility and adaptability, the Agile thought process became popular with time in software development.
Rational Unified Process (1994), Scrum (1995), Crystal Clear, Extreme Programming (1996), Adaptive Software Development, Feature Driven Development, and Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM) (1995) are some of the most popular Agile methodologies.
The Agile Manifesto has the following principles:
Differences | SDLC | Agile |
---|---|---|
Methodology | An SDLC (Software Development Lifecycle) is a process used to manage a project efficiently. | A project management methodology based on an iterative approach is known as Agile. |
Stages | During the development process, there are different stages. | The development model or methodology will have different phases. |
Delivery | At the end of the SDLC life cycle, the entire project is delivered in one massive delivery. | Agile allows the project to be broken down into multiple small chunks at defined intervals. The MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is delivered at the end of each sprint. |
Flexibility | Whether an Agile or Unified model or a waterfall model depends on the methodology. | Developers and the entire team will find it flexible. |
Product Quality | To deliver good quality products efficiently, SDLC is known for its adequate processes and frameworks. | To incorporate and maintain the quality of software products, Agile uses an incremental development approach. |
Project Size | Any size project can be completed with it. | Particularly suitable for smaller projects. |
Approach | For software development, the SDLC model uses a predictive approach. | The agile methodology is based on an adaptive approach to software development. |
Platform | The platform supports the development of any product or software application. | Splitting it into incremental builds can support any product. |
Release | The SDLC provides a single cycle and a single release process. | In Agile, iterations and multiple releases are repeated repeatedly. |
Usage | Using it, quality products can be created efficiently. | This approach is used as an incremental development approach to produce a quality software product. |
Customer Interaction | One of the biggest disadvantages of SDLC is the long distance between the customer and the developer. | Software products are produced incrementally using this approach. |
The following are the main points of the SDLC model–
The following are the benefits of using Agile development method.
Also Read: Citizen Development Can Pave the Way For Agility in 2022. Here’s how
Following are the limitations of Agile model.
Also Read: 6 Signs that your Legacy System is an obstacle for your business’s Digital Transformation!
Agile is a methodology, whereas SDLC is a process, and SDLC has different methods within it, and Agile is one of them. In the SDLC, there are various methodologies, such as Agile, Waterfall, Unified Model, V Model, and Spiral Model. The selection of the methodology of traditional SDLC vs Agile depends on the project’s needs and size. The same approach can also be applied to the STLC, called the Software Testing Life Cycle.