Development and Testing

Development follows the design stage in the systems life cycle, involving the actual construction of the new system.
It is usually carried out in small units known as modules, which are then integrated to form a complete system.
At this stage, coding is usually done where programmers convert system designs into a computer language, such as C++, Python, or Java.
The developer creates the physical aspects of the system, including its interface, databases, and all required applications.
Furthermore, additional integral parts like data entry screens, output reports and documentation are developed.
Development tools like Integrated Development Environments (IDE) or a simple text editor are employed at this stage.

Debugging, the process of identifying and resolving coding errors, is an integral part of the development stage.
This stage has its clear target to pass the product to the testing phase with as few bugs as possible.
It also involves developing user documentation, including user manuals and guides for using the new system.
As the functionality of the system takes shape during the development stage, it needs to be evaluated against the system’s expected performance detailed in the System Requirements Specification (SRS).

Once development is completed, the system is subjected to a series of testing activities to confirm its capability to function correctly and meet the identified requirements.
Testing is necessary to identify any bugs or glitches that may affect the system’s reliability and functionality.
Different types of tests are conducted, including unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and acceptance testing.

Test data is used to validate the system under controlled conditions. It should represent possible scenarios that could occur when the system is in use.
Beta testing involves providing the software to selected users and getting feedback about any issues encountered when using the system.
Documentation is also a crucial part of the testing stage. Test reports provide valuable feedback for the refinement of the system and inform the decision to move forward to the implementation stage.
The goal in the testing phase is to reduce the risk of errors when the system is in use and provide a reliability assurance.