Software Lifecycle

The Software Lifecycle refers to the stages a software product goes through from initial concept to retirement. It ensures the software is developed, maintained, and eventually discontinued while meeting business and user needs.

Key phases of the software lifecycle include:

1. Planning: Defines business requirements, objectives, scope, resources, and timeline.
2. Requirement Analysis: Gathers and documents functional and non-functional requirements.
3. Design: Develops the software's architecture, user interfaces, and data models.
4. Development: The software is built based on design specifications.
5. Testing: Identifies defects through various testing (unit, integration, system) to ensure functionality and quality.
6. Deployment: The software is released to production for end-users, including necessary training and documentation.
7. Maintenance: Provides ongoing support, updates, and improvements based on user feedback and security needs.
8. Retirement: When the software is no longer viable, it is phased out, and users transition to newer solutions.

The software lifecycle ensures systematic development, quality assurance, and continuous support, improving the software's relevance and performance throughout its life.