What is the Software Life Cycle? What are its Processes, Types and Stages?

Nothing is what it seems! It is difficult to imagine that everything with which we frequently interact, includes a background of arduous complexity. Even though mobile devices and computers are a source of recreation, information and work, there is a universe behind these with which many users are not familiar.

Without software to program applications, possibly you would not have more than a device in your hands incapable of following instructions, to carry out the tasks that you confidently entrust to it. In this article, you will go through the life cycle of a software, making stops in its processes, types and stages.Don’t miss it!

What is software and what are the types that exist according to their function?

The brain behind your machine, that logical component that makes it intelligent and distinguishes it from other computers, is what is known as Software. It is understood as a set of pprograms, codes, and instructions that tell a team how and when to perform its functions.

They are present from the moment you turn on your mobile, when you enter a website, or when you download an application or program to your computer. In general, there may be an unlimited amount of Software that is different from each other, however, we will address a characteristic trinomial.

Types of Software: In relation to the existing types of Software, there is an affordable distinction that classifies them into: Programming, System and Application Software. The first are those intended for coding written in programming language using numeric keys such as “01”, which make up the basis of all types of programs, systems or applications.

However, the system software includes a series of instructions that manage resources, establishing links between Hardware and Software, creating an interface and allowing user manipulation. Therefore, they are the face or personality of a computer or mobile; We find them in operating systems like Windows 10 that keeps getting better.

Completing the trinomial, Application Software comprises a set of programs that will instruct the team to carry out specific tasks. They do not directly affect the essential functions of the device, but are installed for a limited task: browsers, instant messaging for PC, games, among others.

What is the life cycle of software and how does it work in computing terms?

This designation is given to the structure to be followed to develop a software product, including the stages, tasks and actions that must be specified for its implementation. This cycle ranges from the conception of an abstract idea of ​​the solutions it will offer, to updating and maintenance once completed.

It is not a rigorous or specific structure, as this will depend on the models used by the programmers. Therefore, we will only sketch an approximation of the main stages that run in all software development processes.

• Planning stage: It defines the bases to follow the rest of the process, a list of specification requirements that the Software must meet is drawn up, and those that are viable are analyzed. Likewise, through data flow diagrams the actions with which the software will solve the problem are delimited, determining if these solutions are feasible.
• Coding stage: The approved and already established solutions must be translated or expressed in a programming language with numeric keys, chosen by the programmers according to the product. In this way, the solutions are materialized in a set of instructions, which will be executed by the Software on the chosen computer.
• Test stage: It includes a series of essential processes to recognize and correct errors in time, in order to eliminate them prior to launch on the market, or commissioning. These processes can be carried out at different stages of product development, to determine performance and communicate flaws to developers.
• Deployment or implementation / maintenance: It is a decisive stage in which it had to be subjected to sufficient tests and controls, and the Software product is put into operation. The work does not end here, since when it comes to programs, monitoring or technical support for the software is required, correcting undetected faults, or updating it according to requirements.