Which Software Development Method Uses A Linear Structured Development Cycle That Completes Each Step Before Continuing To The Next Phase ?

Software Development

The software development method that uses a linear structured development cycle, completing each step before moving to the next phase, is the Waterfall model. In the Waterfall model, each phase must be completed before the next one begins, and there's typically no going back to a previous phase once it's finished. It follows a sequential approach, with phases such as requirements analysis, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance.

Sure, here's a bit more detail:

1. Requirements Gathering: 

In this initial phase, the requirements for the software are gathered from stakeholders. This involves understanding what the software is supposed to do, its features, functionality, and constraints.

2. System Design: 

Once the requirements are gathered, the system architecture and design are developed. This phase involves creating high-level and low-level design documents, outlining how the system will be structured and how various components will interact.

3. Implementation: 

With the design in hand, developers start coding the software based on the specifications laid out in the design phase. This is where the actual development work takes place.

4. Testing: 

After the implementation is complete, testing begins. Testing involves checking the software for bugs, errors, and ensuring that it meets the specified requirements. Various testing techniques like unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and user acceptance testing are performed.

5. Deployment: 

Once the software has been thoroughly tested and meets the requirements, it is deployed to the production environment. This phase involves installing the software on the target hardware and making it available to users.

6. Maintenance: 

After deployment, the software enters the maintenance phase. In this phase, any issues or bugs discovered post-deployment are addressed, and updates or enhancements may be made to the software to keep it functioning optimally.

The Waterfall model is often used for projects where the requirements are well-understood and unlikely to change significantly during the development process. However, it can be less flexible compared to iterative or agile methodologies, as changes made later in the development process can be costly and time-consuming to implement.