Working with the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

When this article is written, I have been working as a backend developer for more than five years. During this time, I learned that being a backend developer is not only about writing code. Before writing any code, we need to understand what the client really needs. We must analyze the problem, think about the best solution, and design the system properly. All these steps are part of a bigger process called the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).

Coding skills are important, but they are not enough. We also need to know why we write the code, what problem we are solving, and what happens after the system is finished. This is why SDLC is very important. SDLC helps developers work in a clear, organized, and goal-focused way. In this article, I will explain SDLC based on my own experience using two common methods: Waterfall and Agile. Each method has a slightly different flow, but the main phases are similar.

Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a series of steps used to plan, build, test, and maintain software. The main goals of SDLC are:

• to make sure the software meets user needs,
• to reduce errors,
• and to make development more structured and manageable.

 

SDLC in the Waterfall Method

In the Waterfall method, each phase is done step by step. A phase must be completed before moving to the next one. The flow is:

Requirement → Design → Development → Testing → Deployment → Maintenance

 

1. Requirement
This is the first and most important phase. In this phase, developers:

• talk with clients or stakeholders,
• understand the problems,
• list the required features,
• define the system scope and impact analysis.

If the requirements are not clear, the final product may not match what the client expects. 

2. Design
After the requirements are clear, the next step is system design. In this phase, developers:

• design the system structure,
• plan the database,
• design APIs,
• choose tools and technologies.

For backend developers, this phase is very important because it affects system performance, security, and future development. 

3. Development
This is the coding phase. Developers start writing code based on the design. Tasks in this phase include:

• building APIs,
• connecting databases,
• writing business logic.

If the design is good, coding becomes easier and faster.

4. Testing
After development, the system must be tested. Testing helps to:

• find bugs,
• check if features work correctly,
• make sure the system is stable.

Testing can be done manually or automatically. 

5. Deployment
In this phase, the system is released to a live environment. This includes:

• setting up servers,
• configuring production settings,
• making the system available to users.

6. Maintenance
After deployment, the work does not stop. In the maintenance phase, developers:

• fix bugs found by users,
• improve performance,
• add new features.

This phase usually lasts the longest.

Illustration of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) showing two methodologies: Waterfall (left) and Agile (right). Illustration created with the help of ChatGPT.

SDLC in the Agile Method 

The Agile method is different from Waterfall. It uses a cycle instead of a straight line. The flow looks like this: 

Requirement → Design → Develop → Testing → Deployment → Review → Launch

Key points of Agile:

• requirements can change,
• work is done in small parts (sprints),
• feedback is collected often.

Agile is suitable for projects that need fast changes and continuous improvement.

 

As a backend developer, understanding Software Development Life Cycle helps us see the full picture of software development, not just coding. SDLC helps us build software that is:

• well planned,
• properly designed,
• well tested, 
• and easy to maintain.

No matter which method we use—Waterfall or Agile—understanding SDLC makes us better developers.