What is Software Development?|Definition, Types and Steps

Abstract: Software development is a complex process of creating, designing, deploying, and supporting software solutions. This article explains the basic types of software and outlines the key steps in the development process.

What is Software Development?

Software development is a multifaceted process that encompasses various activities in computer science. It involves creating, designing, deploying, and supporting software. This dynamic field constantly evolves, with new methodologies, technologies, and practices emerging.

The purpose of software development is to create, enhance, and maintain software solutions to meet specific objectives or fulfil particular needs. It involves translating user requirements into functional software systems that provide desired functionalities, improve efficiency, solve problems, automate processes, or enable new capabilities.

Software development is the process of creating computer programs, guided by the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). SDLC provides a structured framework, defining phases from requirements gathering to maintenance. It ensures a systematic approach, meeting technical specifications and user requirements, resulting in high-quality and reliable products.

Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

3 Basic Types of Software

Software development involves creating a set of instructions or programs that make computers programmable and independent of hardware. It falls into three basic types:

Programming Software

This software is used by programmers to write, test, and debug other software programs. It includes integrated development environments (IDEs), compilers, debuggers, and other tools necessary for software development.

System Software

This is the software that manages and controls the computer hardware. It acts as a bridge between the user apps and the hardware. Examples include operating systems like Windows, Linux, or MacOS.

Application Software

This type of software helps users perform specific tasks, ranging from productivity software like Microsoft Office to specialized tools like Adobe Photoshop. Additionally, there is a growing trend towards Software as a Service (SaaS) or Application Platform as a Service (APaaS), where apps are accessed over the internet, such as Jodoo for project management and workflow automation.

These types of software work together to enable the functionality and usability of computer systems.

6 Steps in the Software Development Process

Jodoo is designed to streamline the software development process, making it faster, more efficient, and more accessible to a wider range of people. As a flexible software development platform, Jodoo supports requirements management, prototype simulation, etc., to help improve the development process. In the context of Jodoo, the key steps in the software development process typically include:

1. Requirements Gathering and Analysis

This is the foundation of the entire process. It involves detailed communication with the client to understand their needs and expectations. In Jodoo, you can create custom forms to collect requirements, manage priorities, and detail plans for different roles. You can also set up workflows to approve requirements, ensuring all stakeholders are on the same page.

2. Design

In this phase, the software architecture is designed based on the requirements gathered. Jodoo’s no-code feature allows you to quickly build high-fidelity prototypes of software for functional testing. This includes designing the user interface, databases, and system configurations. Jodoo’s dashboard feature allows you to visualize the progress in requirements design, making it easier for your team to understand and collaborate on them.

3. Implementation

This is where the actual creation of the software takes place. Developers start writing code based on the design documents. Jodoo‘s project management features can help you assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress, ensuring your development stays on schedule. You can directly use Jodoo for no-code development and implementation if the requirements are not complex and the team size is not large.

4. Testing

After the software is developed, it’s time to test it. This involves checking the software for bugs, and verifying that it meets all the requirements. If you use Jodoo to develop your implementation, it is quick and easy to do testing and iteration.

5. Deployment

Once the software is tested and approved, it’s deployed to the client or made available to the public. If you directly use a SaaS platform like Jodoo, you will save the deployment steps. You can directly publish and use it after the permissions are set.

6. Maintenance

After deployment, the software will need ongoing maintenance. This includes fixing bugs, updating the software to meet changing needs and adding new features. Jodoo‘s task management features can help you manage these ongoing tasks, ensuring your software continues to meet its users’ needs.

These steps may be iterative, and agile development methodologies often involve shorter development cycles with frequent iterations and feedback from users. Jodoo can aid in streamlining and managing these steps throughout the software development process.

Why Jodoo?

Jodoo is a powerful no-code application development platform that empowers businesses to create custom apps tailored to their unique needs. Creating, designing, and deploying software with Jodoo is a seamless process that empowers both technical and non-technical users to bring their ideas to life.

In summary, Jodoo simplifies the software development process, making it accessible to everyone, regardless of their technical skills. Whether you’re an IT leader, a business manager, or a developer, Jodoo can help you turn your ideas into reality.