Types of Software Development

Are you ready to dive into the captivating world of software development? With millions of software programs out there and countless ways they are created, it’s no wonder this field is buzzing with excitement. Every organisation has a unique approach to crafting software, from innovative startups to established corporations. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the fascinating landscape of software development, unravelling the details of each methodology. So fasten your seatbelts, fellow tech enthusiasts, as we embark on this exhilarating journey of different types of software development!

1.API development

An API is a platform that helps two or more software programs interact. It helps streamline the data from different data sources so the end-users can get the required information faster. One of the simplest examples of API usage is the use of travel booking applications, where the users fill in the details and get details on hotel and airline availability in seconds. 

In this case, the API interacts with the database of different airlines and hotels to fetch the requested information. There are several tools like APIgee, Postman, SoapUI and more that help the developers in developing software using the API methodology. 

Some methods practiced under this type of software development include SDK and libraries, documentation, throttling and more. A few advantages the developers can benefit from this software development type are given below-

1. Error handling– One of the critical advantages of API development is getting fine error handling by offering error messages. Good error management helps in getting rid of the issues faster. Some popular error handling ways include HTTP status code (the standard error codes like 200 status code, 301 status code and more), display of several errors, reasons for errors and more. 
2. The components are designed considering API compatibility which is not the case when the development is not API-driven. 
3. It helps break the application into smaller parts that help deliver every module individually. This helps make the application in a way that meets the stakeholders’ requirements. 

2.Front-end development

As the name suggests, the front-end is part of the application that users interact with directly. The user interface is the key selling point of many applications and devices, and this type of software development works brilliantly to achieve the same. This type of software development uses different programming languages like CSS, JavaScript, and HTML.

Some certain prepared codes and components come in frameworks like Angular, jQuery, Semantic UI and more that the developers prefer when working with this application development type. Tools like Creative Tim, ElfSight, and WebStorm can be utilized for front-end development; some of the major benefits of this methodology are given below. 

1. This is an easy development type that offers a small learning curve compared to other software development types.
2. The time to develop the front end is shorter than developing the backend, mobile or any other type. 
3. The designs are made in a way that offers its users a highly responsive UI.

3.Back-end development

As opposed to the front-end development, this development focuses on the components at the server’s end which are not visible to the end users. The backend developers are focused on choosing programming languages to code different application parts. They work in sync with the front-end developers to develop the APIs, and business logic, work over database migrations, website architectures and a lot more.

Some common skills needed for working under this type of development include understanding frontend technologies like HTML, and CSS, database technologies like MySQL, security practices, server-side languages, and more. The main things that make the backend development are APIs, middleware, databases and servers and some of the benefits of using this methodology are given below.

• Backend development ensures that the developed applications/software/ website is highly responsive and works well across different platforms. 
• It helps in adding utility to the functionality of every frontend feature that gets developed.
• This application development consists of parts like databases, and servers that make information sharing pretty easy. 

4.Full stack development

Full stack development is the combination of frontend and backend development. Instead of focusing on one type of development, the developers working under this development type focus on building end-to-end applications. This methodology requires the developers to have certain skills, as given below. 

• Deep insight into frontend languages like HTML (hypertext markup language), CSS (cascading style sheets), JavaScript and more.
• Knowledge of the frameworks and libraries is also necessary like AngularJS, React.JS, JQuery and more. 
• For server-side development, the software engineers should also be equipped with certain libraries and frameworks like C++, JavaScript, NodeJS, Django, Express and more. 

With the times changing, the demand for developing software is increasing, and full-stack developers are gaining importance. Some of the major benefits of this development to the business and its stakeholders are explained below.

• Since one developer can do it all, hiring other developers that would individually focus on frontend and backend development saves the cost. 
• Since no other developers are involved in the development process, the problem of silos or deadline extensions can be resolved effectively. 

5.Embedded systems development

A system, in general, is an arrangement of components or units assembled to work as one process or a part of the whole process. Embedded means something attached to something else; these systems can work as independent systems or as a part of larger systems.

These systems are made of three major components: hardware, software and real-time operating systems (RTOS). This development follows a specific set of steps that are given below.

• Idea: The end goal of creating the application is discussed before taking any further steps. The functions that the product will perform, along with the costs involved in developing the same, are discussed here. 
• Documentation: This involves putting down all the important technical aspects of the application that need to be addressed in the development process. 
• Creating the architecture: This step takes care of building strategies that help bring the product to life once the technical documentation has been drafted. This is followed by selecting the components needed for finalizing the product design.
• Test plan: This is crucial to make the product reliable so the customers accept it without any trouble. Testing is done for the hardware, software and the product itself (at the production level).
• Prototype development: After testing the product to check its performance, prototypes are created to see if there are still any problems that need to be addressed. After building the prototype and handling the issues (if any), the product is tested in a live environment to monitor real-life performance.
• Product launch: After the application/product has gone through all these stages, the product is launched in the market for the general public. 

6.Cloud Computing Development

This is a cloud-based development where the software engineers write the code directly in the cloud or systems that are connected to the cloud. It includes several components/ elements, each of which has been briefed below.

• Containers: Some of the major benefits of using this type of software development include not requiring the maintenance of physical infrastructure. This allows the integration of different application development components in the easiest way possible. 
• Microservices: The benefit of microservices is that it allows the developers to easily add new features as the tasks/ processes work independently in such an environment.
• Serverless: This cloud-based software development environment lets the developers work well without needing to maintain the servers as third parties provide them.
• CI/CD: This is the essence of cloud computing development, allowing software engineers to incorporate automation in the SDLC so stakeholders can benefit from continuous integration and delivery. These things help in rolling out new features and products faster. 

7.Data Science

Data science has become crucial in the fast-growing software industry, which comprises technologies like blockchain, IoT, machine learning and more. When combined with software engineering, data science helps manage business organisations’ data flows in better ways as the former is involved in analyzing the data (no matter the volume of it).
Engineers can develop the software and can go on for long periods (years to be precise) but it is the data science that helps in examining the data collected via those applications or products, and hence the data-driven approach is gaining a lot of attention too. 

8.Mobile development

Mobile applications are gaining momentum as the world shifts towards the works of the internet. In any work, be it buying groceries or ordering food, users worldwide love the convenience products and services offered.
This software development type helps end users work seamlessly at the tip of their fingers. Building software alone is not sufficient anymore; budding it to work over mobile devices is essential. There are different types of application development, aka mobile development, and some are briefed below.

• Hybrid application development– This is a favoured way of developing mobile applications as compared to the native application development ways. It uses all advanced technologies like CSS3, HTML5 and more, so the content is displayed and operated well (by the end-users). 
• Cross-platform application development– This technology is gaining popularity as it helps develop the application in a way that helps it operate over different browsers. Some frameworks that can be considered for mobile app development are mentioned below. 
  • Flutter– It offers a flexible user interface that allows the developers the ease of software development. Built-in resources are also available with this framework. 
  • Ionic– It is one of the popular cross-platform frameworks that is opted for by mobile application developers. 
  • Native Script– This is a brilliant way by which the developers using JavaScript empower their development processes. 

9.Security software development

Security is paramount in the applications or products that are developed these days. Resolving issues in the later stages of development costs a lot to any organization, so addressing security issues from the beginning stages of software development becomes essential.

Some practices, including testing in the initial stages of development, keeping code in secure repositories with access features, utilizing GitHub (VCS) to examine the edits made in the code and more, can serve well in this development. Some other practices that can be included in this type of development are mentioned below.

• Include the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) framework for building the applications is recommended for developing secure software. 
• Include security protocols in the project design is advisable too. This helps the developers build the code aligning with the security requirements. 
• Being spontaneous about the issues that get detected can work in favor of developing secure software within the timeline.
• When employing new technologies, it is important to check the configuration of the tools and software so they become secure.

10.Video game development

Video game development is an art that requires not just advanced programming skills but a lot more. Like other applications, this development follows specific steps to streamline the workflow. There is a lot of creative work involved in this development, so the flexibility in the development pipeline becomes crucial for making changes whenever or at whatever stage they are introduced.

Certain tools like libGDX and OpenGL were developed specifically to help the developers with this kind of development. Apart from using these tools, developers choose gaming engines like Game Engine, CryEngine, Twine Build box and more to give shape to video games. There are three stages into which this development is divided, and those are described below.

• Pre-production: This is the stage where the product’s development begins and covers answering questions like what the product is about (the audience it would cater to), the time it would take to develop, the platform where it would be released and more. 
• Game Design Document: This is a detailed document around which the whole video game development revolves around. It covers the minute details like information related to art and sketches and contains crucial aspects like monetization. 
• Prototyping:This is a crucial step that helps examine the game for issues like mechanics, user experience and more. 

Conclusion:

Software development is growing with time as newer applications are being developed to cater to the population’s growing needs. The different types of software development use different methods that can be selected based on the set requirements and other factors like the developers’ skill set, the project’s cost and more. Each software development type comes with its advantages that help build high-quality software. 

FAQ