As we discuss software development today, there are many myths surrounding it. Once myths are known, they can influence every decision we make. Myths, on the other hand, are not true in reality. A myth is usually formed when someone is unfamiliar with the term or has only a hazy understanding of it.
For businesses looking to enter this field of software development, such assumptions can be dangerous. We’ll learn about software development and then debunk some myths so that we can put our fears to rest. Let’s know some common software development myths.
What is software development?
Understanding the software development approach opens up many possibilities in the IT business. To produce computer programs, programmers must go through a software development sequence of procedures. The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a method for developing products that meet technical specifications and user needs. It consists of numerous phases.
There are six significant steps in the software development life cycle:
- Market research
- Requirement analysis
- Design
- Development and implementation
- Testing
- Deployment & Maintenance
Top 10 myths about software development
1. Popular languages are the best
Developers like to brag about their languages, so you might hear that one is far superior to the others. However, it is not valid. Each language has a specific function. One cannot rank one particular language over another. When choosing a programming language, think about business requirements, existing technology stacks, developer expertise, additional costs, and so on. Depending on the type of software you wish to develop, the overall development cost can be less if you require specific features.
2. Software development is linear and predictable
People believe that software development works on a plan. Everything will run smoothly as long as the team follows it. This is, unfortunately, not the case. In cases of short-term projects, the process might be simple and straightforward. A sequential production flow, such as the waterfall software development lifecycle (SDLC) model, is, on the other hand, too rigid for today’s needs. At times there can be changes required, which can take time. As a result, development teams worldwide choose agile approaches like the Scrum framework, which are more flexible and less predictable.
3. Software development is expensive
Most people believe software development is an expensive process. We even see that software engineer and software development jobs are highly paid. Also, businesses choose generic software rather than custom application development. But, that does not work in the digitally advanced era. Realigning IT solutions to match changing business and user objectives becomes a challenge. You’ll also have to rewrite the software as the company expands. Hence, expenses can vary.
4. In-house developers are better than remote developers
If the people are working remotely or are at different places, it is difficult to communicate or regulate the process. They lack motivation and are unaccountable, which leads to unsatisfactory results. In reality, remote teams are as hardworking, professional, and enthusiastic about the product as the in-house developers are. Companies having excellent outsourcing experience and a talented team can help with efficient software development.
5. More the team members, the better the process will be
It’s a common misconception that adding more developers to your team will save time and improve efficiency, but this is rarely the case. You’ll have to onboard individuals, which will consume uptime and disrupt the flow of communication and collaboration. Due to more members, the process can also slow down or completely fall apart. Increasing the number of people can also increase the amount of confusion.
6. Programmers only write codes
Who knows who has created such myths? Definitely, the ones who are least aware of the process. Typically, the problems that computer programs tackle are not limited to the field of information technology. In order to create a particular software, the programmer has to be aware of the field in general, and understand this subject area.
7. Testing is not required
In custom software development, testing receives the least attention. Sometimes companies overlook the testing part thinking it might be time-consuming and expensive. Genuinely speaking, testing software at the early stage helps get better results. Companies can develop high-quality software by involving testers as early as feasible in the development process.
8. The project finishes once live
As mentioned earlier, there are six important stages in the software development life cycle. It is commonly mistaken that once the project is live, it’s the end of the software cycle. But here is where the actual test begins once the software is in the hands of users. One has to make changes according to the updates received from the users. If not updated, the app can turn out to be a failure.
9. Adding new features is easy
High-quality products are produced when a project is started with proper planning and clear criteria. Regularly adding features to a product can impact usability, time-to-market, and budget. Furthermore, if needs change frequently, the team will be unable to test the product prior to its introduction adequately. That is the reason why it is advisable to leave room for improvements.
10. Outsourcing is the solution to all needs
A popular myth regarding outsourcing is that it is the ultimate resort to all problems related to the project. Outsourcing is done so that the business can concentrate on its core processes while the outsourced company takes care of its IT requirements.
Conclusion
We hope this will help you clear some software development myths. To create excellent software, every team must work together seamlessly. The best practice is to closely work with the development team, help developers with the requirements, and understand the progress.
