Technology; one of the most important aspects of our lives these days… It has been consistently contributing to our society since the last decade and has shown phenomenal growth which has led to making our lives simpler and easier.
One of the parts of this technological world is Application Development. But before we move on further on that topic, let us focus on the two terms that comprise this technology.
Application
It is nothing but a software program that runs on our devices. It performs a specific function directly for an end-user or, in some cases, for another application. These applications use our computer’s operating system (OS) and other supporting programs, typically system software, to function. Some of the examples include word processors, database programs, web browsers, development tools, image editors, communication platforms, etc.
Development
The steps taken from the initial stage to the final product involves in this procedure. Now, let us move to our main topic i.e., Application Development.
Brief Description of Application Development
It is the process of creating a computer program or a set of programs to perform a different kind of tasks that a business requires. It involves tasks from calculating monthly or yearly expenses to scheduling sales reports, building applications that help businesses automate their processes and increase their efficiency. A productive application development environment enables an organization to be adaptive through its robust architectures, process transformation, and innovation when it is needed.
Organizations around the globe are now under increasing pressure to grow their business faster with software innovation to drive growth and respond effectively to changing global markets. The demand for these applications is increasing but any attempt to develop them quickly will only affect their quality. So, the key is to develop quality app development right from scratch.
Importance of Application Development
A developed application reinforces the brand value and catches the attention of the audience. An accurately designed and developed application can lead to sustaining the brand image with a lasting value. With an application, any business owner can easily connect and collaborate with their target audience. Most of the customers who are modern and responding to the changing demands of time own a smartphone, which means building an application offers extended brand visibility. Most mobile applications are available for all platforms thereby it assures extended scope of marketing by helping pinpoint a bigger set audience.
Developing an application can easily connect anyone with customers on the go. Because a device stays with the customers, where they go, a device goes with them. For a user, the importance of application development is of great importance. These applications even send information to their customers using notification. Therefore, when there is a new launch or a new feature is added, or rewards and discounts, they are discussed and informed to audiences.
Devices are reaching new heights in terms of demands. The emergence of super-speed data connection at considerably low tariffs and the availability of smart devices with important features make these applications a very vital ingredient for continued business revenue generation. So, for a business owner looking to improve revenue, designing apps that work is very important.
Now, let us discuss the various types of application development.
Types of Application Development
- Desktop Application Development
Desktop application development involves the process of providing a user-friendly, efficient, and customized desktop application that can run offline, independent of any web browser. These apps help businesses meet their respective need and provide an advantage in this fiercely growing competitive market.
- Web Application Development
Applications are sometimes differentiated from native applications that are developed specifically for a particular platform or device and are then installed on it.
- Mobile Application Development
Mobile application development is the process of creating or making an application that runs on different mobile platforms. Google’s mobile platform is called Android, and Apple’s mobile operating system is called iOS. Windows has Windows mobile whereas RIM has Blackberry. Each of these platforms has its own rules and regulations, and requirements to make a mobile application. For example, iOS mobile apps need the use of Objective C, whereas Android mobile apps need to use Java.
Now, let us focus on a few of the popular application development methodologies so that one can understand and apply the best framework to these software development projects.
System Development Life Cycle
The Software Development Life Cycle, also known as SDLC, is a framework that development teams use to produce adaptable software cost-effectively. It involves five key stages. The first one is the value and productivity analysis, then comes to the software planning stage, then the design and development phase, finally the Launch and Learn phase, also called as testing phase, and finally the support phase.
The development process should be continuously measured and improved, and that’s where SDLC comes into action. It allows a smooth analysis of each stage of the process. This results in minimizing the costs and reducing the risks of bad consequences for the companies. SDLC is great when it comes to delivering software faster and meet or exceed company customers’ needs.
The basic stages of SDLC include:
1- Analysis
One of the most important aspects of the project’s success is to understand what the software application is supposed to do and review its requirements. As soon as the teams get a clearer picture of the project’s nature and requirements, the chances they choose the application method that generates the best results increase. This phase usually includes the market analysis to understand the competition and the key features needed in that application.
2- Planning
During this phase, project managers evaluate the terms and conditions of the project, from calculating labour and material costs to creating a timetable by setting goals and defining the project’s teams and leadership structure. The Planning stage includes feedback from developers, potential customers, subject matter experts, and sales reps.
3- Design & prototyping
Once the requirements are specified, the design phase is the next step which aims at bringing the digital product come to life. The design phase is split into smaller stages:
4- Architecture – It defines programming language, industry practices, overall design, and usage of any templates
- User Interface – It specifies the ways customers interact with the software that is created
- Platforms – It analyses and chooses the platform on which the software will run for the project’s success
- Programming – It includes methods of performing tasks and solving problems in the application
- Communications – It specifies the methods and functions the team can use to communicate with other assets, such as a central server or other instances of the application
- Security – It includes measures taken to secure the application, and may include SSL traffic encryption, password protection, and other secure storage of user credentials
- Prototyping – It represents one of the early versions of software in the Iterative software development model.
5- Launch & Learn
While a small project might be written by a single developer, a large one might be split up and worked by several development teams. This stage implies the actual writing of the project, detecting and fixing errors and glitches, and compiling code so that an application can run smoothly. So, both testing in specific environments, and performance testing are required to reduce any lags in processing.
6- Support
The last phase of the development cycle is an ultimate filter where users discover bugs that were not initially found during testing. Often, new development cycles are issued as these errors need to be fixed.
There three main types of application methodology are:
- Waterfall
- RAD
- Agile
We must analyse business goals, team composition, the experience of the team, cost of delay, product-market fit, and feedback on the work done before choosing a method of application development.
We are aware of the importance and impact created by technologies. As already said, in this competitive world, it is technologies like application development that helps in making people’s lives easier and simpler.
