The Myths and Facts Behind Software Development for Newbies
What is Software development?
If you have ever played a video with a smartphone or a tablet, you will definitely understand what I’m about to show you. Pay close attention to every single detail that I’m about explain.
In your basic ICT or Computer science classes you were thought that a Software is a set of instructions, data or programs given to a computer to perform or carry out a given task. Without software your games and other applications you have on your gadgets cannot function.
Therefore, Software development is the process of creating or designing computer programs and applications that runs on different devices, such as Smartphones, Tablets, Computers and so on.
There are different stages in Software development, and we will be looking at these stages one after the other.
1. PLANNING STAGE:
Definitely before you embark on any action you need a plan. You need to understand what you about to do and the problem you will be solving.
For Instance, games are created for different purposes. Some games are created to educate, some are created to test your thinking ability while some are created to eliminate boredom.
Therefore, as a Software developer you must identify with the problem that you want to solve.
2. DESIGNING STAGE:
Once you are fully aware of what you want to create then you can go ahead to design the software.
You can go ahead to create a blueprint or model of the software (this includes the user interface, database structure, dashboard and other components).
3. CODING:
This is where to the real work begins.
If you are just hearing about coding for the first time you need to read this carefully.
A code is like a digital block that is used to instruct the computer on what to do.
We are getting somewhere stay with me. If you have played with physical building blocks you will understand my point. You know the way you arrange your blocks step by step before you eventually build your imaginary dream castle.
That is exactly how coding works. You give out step by step instructions to the computer using the digital building blocks known as CODE
In coding, you make use special programming languages such as Java, Python or C++ to give out a set of instructions to the computer.
4. TESTING:
Now, it’s time to check your inputs. In this stage, you check the software for bugs, error and other issues that could affect its performance.
Let me tell you one secret, if your website or application is faulty the tendency of people visiting your website or downloading your application will be very little because people don’t have patience.
5. MAINTENANCE:
Once you are done testing the website or application you’re free to release it.
But it does not end there, as a Software developer you have to keep your website or application updated to ensure that it is functioning properly.
Remember, that time the apps on your smartphone refused to function because you have not updated them?
Yes, the software developer in charge of that application always update it on monthly basis to ensure the proper running of the application.
The maintenance stages involve fixing bugs, adding new features and making other necessary changes needed.
CONCLUSION:
If you read till the end, you will note that Software development is the process of creating or designing computer programs and applications that runs on different devices.
We spoke about different stages of Software development that is the planning stage, designing stage, coding, testing and maintenance.
Understanding Software development paves way for creating high quality software that provides possible solutions to the problem of the users.
