Software Development: Design

Concept of Software Design

Software design is a phase in the software development process, where the system architecture and the software’s working flow are defined.
Has as its underlying objective the creation of a model that can be used by programmers to code the software.

It helps to divide the whole system into smaller modules, making the system easier to handle and manage.
The design serves as the blueprint for software development and makes the coding and testing processes efficient.
It reduces complexity by breaking the systems down into manageable modules, decreasing errors and improving usability and maintainability.

Architectural design refers to the high-level structure of software, the discipline of creating such structures and documenting them.
It explains the position and functionality of each module, providing a rough overview of the software.

Detailed design is the complete detailed diagrams of the software systems.
Each module’s workings and process diagrams are provided in detail for coding.

Prototyping is the process of building a model of a system, in terms of an information system, it includes acquiring data, process description, network diagrams, and techniques.
It allows developers to explore ideas, demonstrate the functionality of the system and gather feedback before implementing the software.

Cohesion refers to the degree to which elements of a module belong together. Higher levels of cohesion are often desirable because they reduce the complexity and increase the modularity of the program.
Coupling is the degree to which one module depends on others. Low coupling is often a sign of a well-structured computer system, increasing the flexibility and maintainability of the software.

Encapsulation, or data hiding, is a key principle in object-oriented programming where the implementation of a class is hidden from the rest of the program.
It helps improve the modularisation of the code, making it easier to maintain and modify.

In software design, modelling can help represent complex systems and behaviour.
Common models used in software design include Class diagrams, Sequence diagrams, and Use case diagrams.
Using models allows developers to identify problems or improvements early on in the design process before coding begins.

A Software Design Document (SDD) outlines how the software will be created and implemented.
It’s used as a reference for software engineers to ensure that the project scope and design are maintained.
The SDD includes design diagrams, use case details, and algorithm illustrations among others.

The aim of a good design process is to produce a design that is easy to understand, easy to modify, and easy to implement.
The design process typically starts by gaining an understanding of the problem at hand, followed by brainstorming possible solutions.
The solutions are evaluated and chosen based on various criteria, including simplicity, flexibility and compatibility.
The final design is then tested and refined as necessary, until a satisfactory solution is achieved.

Designing software can be challenging as it requires careful planning, a good understanding of the problem at hand, and a methodical approach to solving it.
Another challenge lies in managing the complexity of larger software systems.
Designers often have to find the right balance between functionality, performance, security, and other factors during the design process.