The evolution of software engineering has been integral in driving innovation and growth across industries in recent decades. The market size for enterprise software on a global level is expected to reach $404 billion in the next five years, with a growth of 11.1% CAGR. With so many advancements, software development has become much more complex and varied than ever, requiring specific skills for each craft.
Software developers have expertise in designing, building, testing, debugging, and maintaining applications for computers or mobile devices. By understanding the various software development processes, you can choose the best approach for your project's requirements. This article will review the different types of software development processes to help companies understand their scope and various applications.
1. Web Development
Web development has been at the forefront of technological innovation since its inception. It dates back to 1989 when Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web and was responsible for developing HTTP, HTML, and URL protocols, forming the foundation of modern webpages.
In the early web design days, there was a heavy reliance on hand-coding HTML pages with limited interactivity, style options, and multimedia capabilities. Over time, however, new technologies and standards improved user experience significantly. This includes technologies such as:
- cascading style sheets (CSS),
- programming languages like JavaScript,
- AJAX techniques allow for data exchanges between clients and servers without refreshing the page itself
- and CMS platforms like WordPress that have made customizations easier than ever before.
The most popular web development technologies include HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and Python. These languages are used to create the front-end or client-side of a website, while server-side scripting languages like PHP and Python are used to develop the back end.
Front-End Development
Front-end development creates the user interface of a website or application. It involves designing and coding the visual elements that users interact with, such as buttons, menus, forms, images, videos, and other interactive features.
Front-end developers use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create the look and feel of a website or application. They must also be familiar with frameworks such as React, Angular, and Vue.js to create interactive user interfaces.
Back-End Development
Back-end development is a broad term that involves creating the inner workings or "back-end" of a website or application, such as what runs on a web server and powers the front-end elements that users can interact with. It involves writing code that runs on the server and interacts with databases to store and retrieve data. Back-end developers use languages such as PHP, Python, Java, Ruby, and .NET to create the back end of a website or application.
- Database Development provides scalability and functionality by connecting the front-end website components with a database.
- Application Programming Interface helps create data structures for storing and manipulating incoming information from users. An API is used for two software applications to communicate so data can be accessed and shared efficiently. They are instrumental in connecting mobile apps and databases, thus allowing access to vast amounts of data quickly.
Full-stack development
Full-stack development is a type of software development that involves working with both the front-end and back-end components of a website or application. It requires knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Python, databases, and APIs. Full-stack developers are responsible for creating the entire web stack from start to finish. They must be able to design user interfaces, create databases and APIs, and write code that ties everything together.
Progressive Web Apps
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are web applications that use modern web technologies to deliver a native-like experience. They combine the best of both worlds, providing users with an app-like experience while still being accessible through a browser. PWAs are designed to be fast, reliable, and engaging, allowing users to access content even when they're offline or have slow internet connections
2. Mobile App Development
Mobile application development creates software applications on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. It involves designing, coding, testing, and deploying apps for iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and other mobile platforms.
Mobile app developers must be familiar with programming languages such as Objective- C, Swift, Java, and C#. They must also be familiar with the different mobile platforms and their specific development requirements.
User experience design principles are another critical aspect of mobile app development. UX designers create user interfaces that are intuitive and easy to use, ensuring a positive user experience.
Mobile app development can be done using one of three fundamental approaches:
- Native App Development focuses on creating an application for a specific operating system, such as Android or iOS.
- Cross-Platform Development uses the same codebase for both apps, allowing it to run on multiple platforms simultaneously with minor changes, like screen size adjustments.
- Lastly, Hybrid App Development integrates HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript Codes into existing native applications, allowing it to work with the OS functionalities through its integration with respective platform tools.
3. Desktop Application Development
Desktop Application Development implies creating software applications that run on desktop computers. It involves designing, coding, testing, and deploying apps for Windows, Mac OS X, and other operating systems.
Developing a desktop application requires different programming languages, frameworks, and architecture before creating a web application. Web applications are generally accessed through a browser window, meaning that all code must be compatible with web browsers such as Chrome or Firefox. It requires different languages and standards compared to those used for desktop applications.
Desktop app developers must be familiar with different programming languages such as C++, Java, and Python. They also need to be familiar with the other operating systems and their specific development requirements.
4. Embedded Software Development
Embedded software development requires a deep understanding of the underlying hardware architecture and the ability to write efficient code that can run on limited resources. It also requires knowledge of real-time operating systems and communication protocols.
ESD is a process of creating software applications that are embedded in physical devices. It involves designing, coding, testing, and deploying software for various hardware platforms, such as microcontrollers, sensors, and other embedded systems.
Embedded software developers must be familiar with programming languages such as C/C++ and Assembly language and understand different hardware platforms and their specific development requirements.
5. Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is software development involving remote servers to store, manage, and process data. It allows developers to access data from anywhere worldwide without worrying about hardware or software installation.
Many companies now use cloud computing (IaaS, Paas, and Saas) to store and manage their data. It enhances work performance by eliminating the need to copy, transfer, and share information manually. Cloud computing also reduces costs by freeing companies from buying expensive server hardware, software licenses, and other related equipment. Additionally, many cloud-based services offer powerful analytics technology to help businesses make informed decisions about their operations. By leveraging the power of cloud computing, companies can better understand customer behavior and optimize their marketing efforts for maximum ROI.
Serverless Computing
Serverless Computing is a cloud computing model that allows developers to build and run applications without having to manage or provision any servers. It enables developers to focus on their code instead of worrying about server infrastructure, scalability, and availability.
Serverless Computing is based on "Functions as a Service" (FaaS), which allows developers to write code that runs in response to events and automatically scales up or down depending on the load.
6. Data Science
With technology advancing quickly, software development stepped out of its norm and started to include data science. Data Science is a field of study that combines mathematics, statistics, and computer science to analyze large datasets. It involves using algorithms and techniques such as machine learning, natural language processing, and predictive analytics to extract insights from data.
Artificial Inteligence (AI)
Using AI programs is slowly becoming the new norm in many different industries. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science that focuses on creating intelligent machines that can think and act like humans.
AI requires developers to be familiar with different programming languages, such as Python, Java, and C++. They must also be familiar with the various AI platforms and their specific development requirements.
AI programs are used to automate tasks, make decisions, and solve complex problems with new subsets slowly emerging in the software development industry:
- Machine Learning is a subset of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that focuses on developing computer programs that can learn from data and improve their performance over time. It involves using algorithms and techniques such as supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning to extract insights from data.
- The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical devices connected to the internet that can communicate with each other. IoT devices can range from simple sensors to complex robots. IoT requires developers to be familiar with different programming languages, different IoT platforms, and a good understanding of electronics and hardware to effectively develop IoT applications.
7. DevOps
DevOps is a software development methodology that combines software development and operations to create an efficient and effective workflow. It focuses on automation, collaboration, and communication between developers and operations teams to ensure the successful delivery of applications. DevOps enables teams to deploy changes quickly without compromising quality or security.
Nowadays, DevOps is more than just creating scripts or automating specific procedures - it's a whole culture. Having an understanding of DevOps practices can help to improve your business culture and success.
Continuous Integration (CI)
Continuous Integration (CI) is a software development practice that regularly integrates code changes into a shared repository. This allows developers to detect and fix bugs quickly and ensure that the codebase remains stable. CI also helps teams collaborate more effectively by enabling them to share their work in real-time.
CI requires developers to use version control systems such as Git or Subversion to track changes and ensure that everyone is working on the same code version. Additionally, CI requires developers to use automated testing tools to ensure that all code changes are tested before deployment.
Continuous Deployment (CD)
Continuous Deployment (CD) is a software development practice that automatically deploys code changes to production environments. This allows developers to quickly and safely deploy changes without manual intervention. CD also helps teams ensure that their applications are always up-to-date with the latest features and bug fixes.
CD requires developers to use automated deployment tools such as Jenkins or Kubernetes to automate the process of deploying code changes. Additionally, CD requires developers to use automated testing tools to ensure that all code changes are functional.
8. Security software development
Security software development is the process of creating secure applications and systems that protect data and assets from malicious actors. Security software developers must deeply understand security principles, protocols, and technologies to build secure applications.
Security software development involves various techniques such as encryption, authentication, authorization, access control, and vulnerability scanning to ensure that applications are secure. Additionally, security software developers must be familiar with security standards such as OWASP and NIST to ensure that their applications meet the required security requirements.
time to read: 8 mins
Subscribe Us 
What is Software Development?
Software development is a set of processes that involve creating and maintaining applications or services. It encompasses everything from planning, designing, coding, testing, deploying, and updating software.
With software development, you can customize technology solutions for your company's needs by utilizing various programming languages. The best part is that it's faster than ever with the help of many automation tools.
Finding a good team to help a business develop software is essential. The team should be knowledgeable in the latest technologies and have a good understanding of the project's requirements.
Types of Software Development
The evolution of software engineering has been integral in driving innovation and growth across industries in recent decades. The market size for enterprise software on a global level is expected to reach $404 billion in the next five years, with a growth of 11.1% CAGR. With so many advancements, software development has become much more complex and varied than ever, requiring specific skills for each craft.
Software developers have expertise in designing, building, testing, debugging, and maintaining applications for computers or mobile devices. By understanding the various software development processes, you can choose the best approach for your project's requirements. This article will review the different types of software development processes to help companies understand their scope and various applications.
1. Web Development
Web development has been at the forefront of technological innovation since its inception. It dates back to 1989 when Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web and was responsible for developing HTTP, HTML, and URL protocols, forming the foundation of modern webpages.
In the early web design days, there was a heavy reliance on hand-coding HTML pages with limited interactivity, style options, and multimedia capabilities. Over time, however, new technologies and standards improved user experience significantly. This includes technologies such as:
The most popular web development technologies include HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and Python. These languages are used to create the front-end or client-side of a website, while server-side scripting languages like PHP and Python are used to develop the back end.
Front-End Development
Front-end development creates the user interface of a website or application. It involves designing and coding the visual elements that users interact with, such as buttons, menus, forms, images, videos, and other interactive features.
Front-end developers use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create the look and feel of a website or application. They must also be familiar with frameworks such as React, Angular, and Vue.js to create interactive user interfaces.
Back-End Development
Back-end development is a broad term that involves creating the inner workings or "back-end" of a website or application, such as what runs on a web server and powers the front-end elements that users can interact with. It involves writing code that runs on the server and interacts with databases to store and retrieve data. Back-end developers use languages such as PHP, Python, Java, Ruby, and .NET to create the back end of a website or application.
Full-stack development
Full-stack development is a type of software development that involves working with both the front-end and back-end components of a website or application. It requires knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Python, databases, and APIs. Full-stack developers are responsible for creating the entire web stack from start to finish. They must be able to design user interfaces, create databases and APIs, and write code that ties everything together.
Progressive Web Apps
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are web applications that use modern web technologies to deliver a native-like experience. They combine the best of both worlds, providing users with an app-like experience while still being accessible through a browser. PWAs are designed to be fast, reliable, and engaging, allowing users to access content even when they're offline or have slow internet connections
2. Mobile App Development
Mobile application development creates software applications on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. It involves designing, coding, testing, and deploying apps for iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and other mobile platforms.
Mobile app developers must be familiar with programming languages such as Objective- C, Swift, Java, and C#. They must also be familiar with the different mobile platforms and their specific development requirements.
User experience design principles are another critical aspect of mobile app development. UX designers create user interfaces that are intuitive and easy to use, ensuring a positive user experience.
Mobile app development can be done using one of three fundamental approaches:
3. Desktop Application Development
Desktop Application Development implies creating software applications that run on desktop computers. It involves designing, coding, testing, and deploying apps for Windows, Mac OS X, and other operating systems.
Developing a desktop application requires different programming languages, frameworks, and architecture before creating a web application. Web applications are generally accessed through a browser window, meaning that all code must be compatible with web browsers such as Chrome or Firefox. It requires different languages and standards compared to those used for desktop applications.
Desktop app developers must be familiar with different programming languages such as C++, Java, and Python. They also need to be familiar with the other operating systems and their specific development requirements.
4. Embedded Software Development
Embedded software development requires a deep understanding of the underlying hardware architecture and the ability to write efficient code that can run on limited resources. It also requires knowledge of real-time operating systems and communication protocols.
ESD is a process of creating software applications that are embedded in physical devices. It involves designing, coding, testing, and deploying software for various hardware platforms, such as microcontrollers, sensors, and other embedded systems.
Embedded software developers must be familiar with programming languages such as C/C++ and Assembly language and understand different hardware platforms and their specific development requirements.
5. Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is software development involving remote servers to store, manage, and process data. It allows developers to access data from anywhere worldwide without worrying about hardware or software installation.
Many companies now use cloud computing (IaaS, Paas, and Saas) to store and manage their data. It enhances work performance by eliminating the need to copy, transfer, and share information manually. Cloud computing also reduces costs by freeing companies from buying expensive server hardware, software licenses, and other related equipment. Additionally, many cloud-based services offer powerful analytics technology to help businesses make informed decisions about their operations. By leveraging the power of cloud computing, companies can better understand customer behavior and optimize their marketing efforts for maximum ROI.
Serverless Computing
Serverless Computing is a cloud computing model that allows developers to build and run applications without having to manage or provision any servers. It enables developers to focus on their code instead of worrying about server infrastructure, scalability, and availability.
Serverless Computing is based on "Functions as a Service" (FaaS), which allows developers to write code that runs in response to events and automatically scales up or down depending on the load.
6. Data Science
With technology advancing quickly, software development stepped out of its norm and started to include data science. Data Science is a field of study that combines mathematics, statistics, and computer science to analyze large datasets. It involves using algorithms and techniques such as machine learning, natural language processing, and predictive analytics to extract insights from data.
Artificial Inteligence (AI)
Using AI programs is slowly becoming the new norm in many different industries. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science that focuses on creating intelligent machines that can think and act like humans.
AI requires developers to be familiar with different programming languages, such as Python, Java, and C++. They must also be familiar with the various AI platforms and their specific development requirements.
AI programs are used to automate tasks, make decisions, and solve complex problems with new subsets slowly emerging in the software development industry:
7. DevOps
DevOps is a software development methodology that combines software development and operations to create an efficient and effective workflow. It focuses on automation, collaboration, and communication between developers and operations teams to ensure the successful delivery of applications. DevOps enables teams to deploy changes quickly without compromising quality or security.
Nowadays, DevOps is more than just creating scripts or automating specific procedures - it's a whole culture. Having an understanding of DevOps practices can help to improve your business culture and success.
Continuous Integration (CI)
Continuous Integration (CI) is a software development practice that regularly integrates code changes into a shared repository. This allows developers to detect and fix bugs quickly and ensure that the codebase remains stable. CI also helps teams collaborate more effectively by enabling them to share their work in real-time.
CI requires developers to use version control systems such as Git or Subversion to track changes and ensure that everyone is working on the same code version. Additionally, CI requires developers to use automated testing tools to ensure that all code changes are tested before deployment.
Continuous Deployment (CD)
Continuous Deployment (CD) is a software development practice that automatically deploys code changes to production environments. This allows developers to quickly and safely deploy changes without manual intervention. CD also helps teams ensure that their applications are always up-to-date with the latest features and bug fixes.
CD requires developers to use automated deployment tools such as Jenkins or Kubernetes to automate the process of deploying code changes. Additionally, CD requires developers to use automated testing tools to ensure that all code changes are functional.
8. Security software development
Security software development is the process of creating secure applications and systems that protect data and assets from malicious actors. Security software developers must deeply understand security principles, protocols, and technologies to build secure applications.
Security software development involves various techniques such as encryption, authentication, authorization, access control, and vulnerability scanning to ensure that applications are secure. Additionally, security software developers must be familiar with security standards such as OWASP and NIST to ensure that their applications meet the required security requirements.
Taking Different Types of Software Development Projects into Account
Understanding different types of software development can help teams choose the best approach for their project. When selecting a software development methodology, teams should consider factors such as the size and complexity of the project, the timeline, budget constraints, and the team's experience level. Additionally, teams should consider whether they need to use agile or waterfall methods and which tools and technologies are best suited for their project.
If a business does not have an in-house team of software developers for a project, it may need to consider outsourcing the development process. Outsourcing can be a great way to save time and money and access specialized skills and expertise. However, it is essential to ensure that the chosen vendor has experience in the type of software development required for the project.
Check out our guide if you want to know more about the best ways to outsource software development successfully.
Related Articles