The advancement of computer technology has created an increasingly complex world for software developers. Many aspects of programming were not as challenging back when most people did not have access to advanced technologies like databases or high-performance machines.
However, this complexity makes timely and cost-effective maintenance essential for keeping things running smoothly. And so, like any other industry, software development has its share of phases.
While the concept of software development may vary from service to service, four basic phases are common across all types of software products.
These are:
- The initial creation of the program (phase 0),
- Ongoing maintenance and bug-fixing (phase 1),
- Long-term maintenance (phase 2), and
- Corrective changes (phase 3)
When you are talking about the programming life cycle, it’s important to consider all the phases and their impacts on the final software product to achieve the best results. It’s also critical to plan and create an effective software testing strategy once a release date has been determined by identifying all of the necessary tasks for each release phase.
So, no matter what software development lifecycle your company is on, the ultimate goal for you or your team should be to plan, track, and maintain your final software product with a reliable custom software development firm like Vates. This is even more important when dealing with a major upgrade project!
But before we take a look at the stages of program development maintenance phases and how they can impact your final software product, let’s understand why there is a need for software maintenance in the first place:
Why Do You Need Software Development Maintenance?
We’ve all been there. You launch a new product, and soon after it starts getting traction, you find yourself overwhelmed by the constant stream of bugs that need to be fixed. Suddenly your days are filled with meetings and phone calls as you scramble to get new versions out the door before they become unusable.This is what happens when you don’t plan for your software development projects with an industry-leading custom software development firm like Vates properly.
It’s no wonder that so many companies struggle with keeping their software up-to-date or, even worse, go out of business altogether because they can’t afford to keep their products updated. For your business to survive in this increasingly competitive market, you must have a strong foundation upon which to build your company’s future success — one that includes effective software development and maintenance processes in place from day one.
Here’s all you need to know about the process:
What Is Meant Of Software Development Maintenance?
Software development maintenance is a process that comprises updating your code with new features, bug fixes, and integrating security patches. It also includes the process of software quality assurance and testing, which makes sure that any changes made to your software are working as expected before its release to the public. A thorough software development maintenance from an agile software development company like Vates helps ensure that your product has no serious bugs that could affect its performance and reliability.
Here’s a detailed look at the various stages of the software development and maintenance cycle:
1. Software Development (Phase 0)
The initial creation of the program (phase 0) is the phase during which initially unknown requirements are defined and examined for feasibility. It is usually done by programmers, who do not need to involve other departments or sub-projects.
2. Ongoing Maintenance And Bug-Fixing (Phase 1)
The ongoing maintenance and bug-fixing (phase 1) involve fixing bugs that come up in the course of using a program. This can be done by both programmers and non-programmers using various software testing and quality assurance processes.
3. Long-Term Maintenance (Phase 2)
This phase involves fixing bugs that come up over time, either because they cannot be fixed easily or because they have become systemic problems within the program, or even with its underlying system architecture. In this case, programmers often work with non-programmers, such as database administrators or network engineers, who understand how their component works.
4. Corrective Changes (Phase 3)
The corrective changes (phase 3) involves changing parts of a program that have become obsolete or ineffective over time, for example, if new technologies have become available. This can be done in many ways, but one simple way is to rewrite the code using better programming languages or compiler tools.
Impact Of Software Development Maintenance Phases On Final Software Product
Most companies today attach great importance to their software development maintenance process. Once they have developed an application, they want to make sure that it provides value for money, which means that it needs to be maintained constantly by leading IoT solutions and consulting firms like Vates once it has been launched into production or beta testing (depending on what stage it is currently at).
The reason behind this is that software maintenance helps to ensure that your final product is bug-free and secure. It also makes sure that you have all the necessary information and documentation for people who will be using it later on.
Software maintenance thus helps create a consistent user experience across your entire organization, which reduces training time and expense, saves money on hardware and software, and improves customer and employee satisfaction by eliminating bugs in your products.
Hire Experienced Software Developers at Vates Today!
Are you looking for reliable software testing and quality assurance services? At Vates, we know how to get the most out of your money by providing high-quality custom software development and software testing services at reasonable rates so that you can focus on what matters – your business.
We have been part of the software development industry for over 30 years, working with a variety of clients, from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. Our experience allows us to work with you through every stage of your project – from planning stages through implementation – so you can ensure that your final product meets all your needs and expectations.
So, what are you waiting for? Contact us today and let our IT experts help develop and manage cutting-edge and innovative IoT solutions and consultation, along with system integration services, custom software development, and big data analytics.
