Development Cycle in the Context of Database Applications

Development Cycle in the Context of Database Applications

Development Cycle of Database Applications

Requirements Gathering

  • The first step in any software development project, including database applications, is to identify and understand the requirements
  • Database requirements may include information on expected data, data structure, data volume, data usage, security and performance needs
  • These requirements heavily influence the design and choice of database system

Feasibility Study

  • Once requirements are gathered, a feasibility study helps to determine if the database application project is viable
  • This study involves considering technical feasibility (using existing technology), operational feasibility (fitting into operational processes) and economic feasibility (being cost-effective)

Database Design

  • Designing a database involves creating an Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD) that shows how different entities (tables) will interact
  • Database normalization should be undertaken to eliminate data redundancy and improve data integrity
  • Database schema, a blueprint of how the database will be constructed, is developed

Database Implementation

  • The approved database design is implemented by creating the physical database using a Database Management System (DBMS)
  • Entails creating tables, setting up relationships, and defining constraints as specified in the design phase

Testing and Debugging

  • Testing the application is crucial to identify and remove any errors or bugs
  • Acceptance testing involves using the database application under realistic conditions to make sure it meets the user’s requirements
  • Performance testing checks how the database performs under heavy loads and ensures it can handle expected data volume

Deployment and Maintenance

  • Once testing is completed, the database application is deployed in a live environment
  • Maintenance and updates are frequently necessary to address bugs that weren’t identified in testing, add new features or to improve the application performance and stability

Review and Iteration

  • The final stage of the development cycle is a review of the application’s performance
  • Lessons learnt from this project can be applied to other database applications or future improvements of the current system
  • The development cycle is iterative, meaning it loops back to requirement gathering and repeats for updates and improvements