Software development is a collection of activities devoted to creating, designing and deploying software.

The software is a set of programs or instructions that tells a computer how to operate. It is independent from hardware and allows computers to be programmable. There are three main types:

• Software that provides core functionality such as operating systems and utilities.
• Software that allows programmers to create code using tools like text editors, linkers and debuggers.
• Applications (or apps) are software that helps users accomplish tasks. Examples include office productivity suites and data management programs, media players, security software, and media players.
  Applications refers to mobile and web applications, such as those used for socializing on Facebook or posting pictures to Instagram.
• A fourth possible type is embedded software. Software embedded in systems is used for machines and devices that are not usually considered computers, such as telecommunications network, cars, and industrial robots. The Internet of Things can connect these devices and their software.

Software development is conducted primarily by software engineers, programmers and software developers. The dynamics of these roles vary widely across departments and communities.

Coders or programmers write source code for computers to perform specific tasks, such as merging databases, processing orders online, routing communications, performing searches, or displaying graphics and text.
Programmers interpret software developer and engineer instructions and carry them out using programming languages such as C++ or Java.

Software engineers use engineering principles to create software and systems that solve problems. Modeling language and other tools are used to create solutions that can be applied in general to many problems, rather than just solving them for a particular instance or client.
Software engineering solutions must adhere to scientific methods and work in real life, such as bridges or elevators. As products become more intelligent, with microprocessors and sensors, their responsibility has increased.
Software is increasingly used to differentiate products on the market. However, software development needs to be coordinated with mechanical and electrical design work.

Software Developers can play a more informal role than engineers, and be involved in specific project areas – including writing code. They also drive the software development lifecycle, including working with functional teams to translate requirements into features.
They manage development teams, processes, and perform software testing and maintenance.

Software development is not just for coders and development teams. Software code is also created by professionals such as scientists and device makers, even though they’re not software developers. 

It is not confined to the traditional IT industries like software and semiconductors. According to the Brookings Institute, these businesses “account for less than half of companies that perform software development.”

Custom software development is a distinct process from commercial software development. Custom software development involves designing, developing, deploying and maintaining software to meet the needs of a particular group of users, functions or organizations. 

Commercial off-the shelf software (COTS), on the other hand, is designed to meet a wide range of requirements. It can then be packaged, marketed, and distributed commercially.

Steps in the software development process

The following steps are usually involved in the development of software:

1. It is important to select a methodology that will establish the framework within which software development steps are implemented. It describes a project’s overall work process. Some of the most popular methodologies are Agile Development, DevOps (Development Operations), Rapid Application Development (RAD), Scaled Agile Frameworks (SAFe), Waterfall and others.
2. Gathering requirements is the process of understanding and documenting what users and other stakeholders require.
3. Choose or build an architecture to be the structure that will underlie the software.
4. Designing solutions for problems posed by requirements. Often involves process models and storyboards.
5. Modeling tool using a modeling language such as SysML or UML for early validation, prototyping and simulation.
6. Code in the correct programming language. Peer and team reviews are used to identify problems and improve software quality.
7. Tests with pre-planned scenarios as part of the software design, coding and performance testing.
8. Manage configurations and defects in order to build different versions of software. Set quality assurance criteria and release priorities to track and address defects.
9. Responding to user issues and problems and deploying the software.
10. If necessary, migrate data from the existing software or applications to the updated or new software.
11. Management and measurement of the project is important to ensure quality and delivery throughout the lifecycle of the application. Models such as the Capability Maturity Model can be used to evaluate the process, including the Capability Maturity Model.

Application lifecycle management (ALM) includes the steps in software development. IBM(r), Engineering Management is a superset ALM which allows parallel mechanical, software, and electrical development.

• Analysis of requirements and specification
• Design and Development
• Testing
• Deployment
• Maintenance and Support

The phases of a software development lifecycle can be divided into steps, but it is the fact that the cycle recycles itself to allow for continuous improvement. In the maintenance and support phases, for example, issues with users can be transformed into requirements at the start of the next cycle.

Why is software development important?

The importance of software development is due to its pervasiveness. Dibbe Edwards, IBM’s vice president and blogger, says: “Software is a key differentiation factor in many products – from washing machines to thermostats – with an increasing Internet of Things linking them.”

Here are a few examples.

1. Soul Machines creates artificial online advisors to improve customer service. They have human-like faces, voices, and expressions that respond intelligently and empathetically to the customer’s questions and needs.
   They can respond to over 40% of customer questions without human interaction — and learn from their interactions over time.
   Soul Machines is able to create an artificial advisor within 8-12 weeks using IBM Watson Assistant, which incorporates AI capabilities into the development.
2. Erik Bak-Mikkelsen says, “This is a race.” Bak-Mikkelsen, head of cloud operations for car2go, says that “we have to keep pace with what’s going on in the market.”
   He knows that the key to staying and getting ahead is to deliver new features and functionality to car2go ride-sharing vehicles and apps. Car2go adopted a DevOps model and moved its development operations into cloud-based managed services.
   This results in accelerated development cycles and faster time to market, as well as the ability to scale up for future growth.
3. Electrical power lines are dangerous. Engineers can use padlocks and tags to “lock out” electrical power lines.
   The French energy company Enedis collaborated with IBM Garage For Cloud on software that enables these locks and tags to be tied into a network. The tags and locks communicate time and location each time they are removed from the engineer’s vehicle.
   The engineer’s location is recorded as he attaches locks to the van. To ensure safety, to reduce downtime, and to facilitate repairs, all stakeholders can view the map. Enedis was able to create field-ready prototypes within three months using the IBM Cloud Garage collaborative approach.

Effective software development requires certain key features

Software development can be used to gain a competitive advantage and differentiate brands. However, it requires a good understanding of the technologies and techniques that will accelerate software deployment and quality.

• Artificial intelligence (AI). AI allows software to mimic human decision-making, learning and reasoning.
  Developers and businesses can use neural networks, machine-learning, natural language processing, and cognitive capabilities to create products and services which disrupt markets and leapfrog the competition.
  IBM Watson allows developers to integrate artificial intelligence into their applications via application programming interfaces.
  IBM Watson can be used to check for ambiguity in product requirements. It will also look out for unclear actors, complex or negative requirements and missing units or tolerances.
• Cloud-native Development: Cloud-native is a method of developing applications that use cloud environments. Cloud-native applications are composed of discrete and reusable components called microservices.
  They are designed to be integrated into any cloud environment. These microservices are used as building blocks, and they’re often packaged into containers.
  Cloud-native apps can take advantage of cloud environments to increase application performance, flexibility and extensibility.
• Cloud-based Development: Software development companies are looking to the cloud for cost savings and improved resource management.
  The cloud can also be used as an integrated development environment (IDE), or as a development PaaS. Cloud-based environments support coding and design, as well as integration, testing, etc.
  Cloud-based development environments can offer access to APIs (application programming interfaces), microservices (microservices), DevOps, and other tools, services, and expertise.
• Blockchain: A blockchain is a digitally linked, secure ledger. It eliminates the cost and vulnerability introduced by intermediaries such as banks, regulators, and others.
  The technology is changing businesses through capital liberation, faster processes, lower transaction costs, and much more. Blockchain offers a huge opportunity for software developers.
  Developers use distributed ledgers, open-source Hyperledger technologies and distributed ledgers to transform the way businesses work.
• Low code: According to Forrester, low code is: “Products or cloud services that use visual, declarative methods instead of programming, and that are available at low or no cost in terms of money or training …”.
  In other words, low code is a development method that allows noncoders to create or assist with the creation or development applications quickly and for less.
• By 2020, the demand for data scientists and engineers will reach 700,000 positions. This demand shows how important it is to companies that they gain value and insight from the explosion in data.
  Software developers are now integrating advanced analytics into their applications. Cloud-based APIs and services make it easier to automate predictive analysis, guide data exploration and create dashboards which deliver new insights and help improve decision making.
• Model Based Systems Engineering: Model Based Systems Engineering uses software modeling languages to perform early prototyping and simulation of software designs in order to validate them early.
  MBSE allows you to quickly move from the design phase to the implementation phase by analyzing and elaborating project requirements.
• Mobile: One of the key capabilities for software developers is to create mobile apps that are deeply connected to data, which enriches and elevates the user experience.
  Forrester found that “deeply integrated digital/mobile customer information has a powerful effect on how consumers interact with brands.”