SDLC Definitions

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  • A

    artifact (software development)

    An artifact is a byproduct of software development that helps describe the architecture, design and function of software.

  • What is an application?

    An application, also referred to as an application program or application software, is a computer software package that performs a specific function directly for an end user or, in some cases, for another application.

  • What is application lifecycle management?

    Application lifecycle management (ALM) is the process of managing a software lifecycle from creation to its end of life.

  • C

    Capability Maturity Model (CMM)

    The Capability Maturity Model (CMM) is a methodology used to develop and refine an organization's software development process.

  • cruft

    Cruft is the elements of a program, system or product that are either useless, poorly designed or both. In computing, cruft describes areas of redundant, improper or simply badly written code, as well as old or inferior hardware and electronics. Cruft may also be used to describe a group of hackers, like a pod of whales, exultation of larks or murder of crows. (Continued...)

  • What is continuous integration (CI)?

    Continuous integration (CI) is a software development practice in which frequent and incremental changes are routinely added (integrated) to the complete codebase immediately after the changes and additions are tested and validated.

  • D

    Disciplined Agile Delivery (DAD)

    Disciplined Agile Delivery (DAD) is a scalable Agile software delivery framework. It takes a people-first, learning-oriented approach to software development and delivery.

  • software documentation

    In the software development process, software documentation is the information that describes the product to the people who develop, deploy and use it.

  • E

    end-to-end testing

    End-to-end (E2E) testing is a software testing methodology that verifies the working order of a software product in a start-to-finish process.

  • F

    What is a functional specification document?

    A functional specification is a formal document used to describe a product's intended capabilities, appearance and interactions with users in detail for software developers.

  • I

    integrated development environment (IDE)

    An integrated development environment (IDE) is a software suite that consolidates basic tools required to write and test software.

  • J

    What is Jenkins and how does it work?

    Jenkins is an open source continuous integration/continuous delivery and deployment (CI/CD) automation software DevOps tool written in the Java programming language.

  • What is Jira?

    Jira is an application lifecycle management (ALM) and Agile project management tool from Atlassian.

  • N

    NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)

    NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) is a nonregulatory government agency located in Gaithersburg, Md.

  • P

    performance testing

    Performance testing is a testing measure that evaluates the speed, responsiveness and stability of a computer, network, software program or device under a workload.

  • polyglot programming

    Polyglot programming is the practice of writing code in multiple languages to capture additional functionality and efficiency not available in a single language.

  • What is a PERT chart? And how to use it, with examples

    A PERT chart, sometimes called a PERT diagram, is a project management tool used to schedule, organize and coordinate tasks in a project.

  • R

    rapid mobile app development (RMAD)

    Rapid mobile application development (RMAD) uses low-code/no-code programming tools to expedite the application creation process for mobile platforms.

  • requirements analysis (requirements engineering)

    Requirements analysis (requirements engineering) is the process of determining user expectations for a new or modified product.

  • S

    SSADM (Structured Systems Analysis and Design Method)

    SSADM (Structured Systems Analysis and Design Method) is a widely used computer application development method in the United Kingdom, where its use is often specified as a requirement for government computing projects.

  • What is a software requirements specification (SRS)?

    A software requirements specification (SRS) is a comprehensive description of the intended purpose and environment for software under development.

  • What is the software development lifecycle (SDLC)?

    The software development lifecycle (SDLC) is a project management framework that describes the stages and tasks involved in each step of software development.

  • What is the spiral model and how is it used?

    The spiral model is a systems development lifecycle (SDLC) method used for risk management that combines the iterative development process model with elements of the Waterfall model.

  • U

    user story

    A user story is a tool in Agile software development used to capture a description of a software feature from a user's perspective. The user story describes the type of user, what they want and why. A user story helps to create a simplified description of a requirement.

  • What is user acceptance testing (UAT)?

    User acceptance testing (UAT), also called application testing or end-user testing, is a phase of software development in which the software is tested in the real world by its intended audience.

  • W

    What is a Waterfall model? Definition and guide

    The Waterfall model is a linear, sequential approach to the software development lifecycle (SDLC) that is popular in software engineering and product development.