In this post, I'll explain two fundamental concepts that everyone in the IT industry should understand: What is software? And how does a software project work?
1. What is Software?
In recent years, software has become an essential part of our lives. While we can still live without it, we cannot deny the benefits it brings.
But do people truly understand what software is? Let me give you an example to visualize it. If hardware is the "body" of a computer, then software is the "soul" that enables that "body" to function and perform specific tasks. It is a collection of programs, code, and data designed to carry out specific tasks.
Examples:
When you browse Shopee, select and order products you want to buy, you are interacting with specialized software.
When you compose documents in Word, calculate in Excel, or create presentations in PowerPoint, you are using application software.
Even when you use your phone or computer, you are interacting with "system" software - or operating systems.
In short, software is the intangible product of human intellect. It is present everywhere in our lives, helping us work, learn, entertain, and connect with the world.
2. How Does a Software Project Work?
In general, a software project is a set of organized and managed activities aimed at creating a complete software product.
To make it easier to understand, you can think of software development like building a house. There will be a design team, a construction/implementation team, and units responsible for ensuring quality, progress, and product acceptance.
A software project typically involves the following key members:
Client (end-user, customer, or sponsor): The person or organization who needs/develops the software.
Project Manager (PM): The person who manages the project, ensuring it is completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
Business Analyst (BA): The person who analyzes business needs, "translates" client language into the language of the technical team, and ensures the software meets the client's needs.
Developer: The person who writes code and builds the software.
Tester: The person who tests the software, finds bugs, and ensures quality.
In addition, there are many other members who play important roles in creating software, such as the legal team (ensuring features comply with laws and regulations), advisors, etc.
The software development process often involves several stages, and there are different approaches depending on the project and the company:
Main stages: (Also known as the Software Development Life Cycle - SDLC)
Initiation: Defining the project's objectives, scope, and resources.
Analysis: Researching, gathering, and analyzing client requirements.
Design: Designing the architecture, interface, and functionality of the software.
Development: Writing code, building, and testing the software.
Deployment: Installing and putting the software into use.
Maintenance: Fixing bugs, upgrading, and maintaining the software.
Based on these stages and different implementation approaches, various software development methodologies have emerged. Here, I'll mention two of the most popular models currently:
Waterfall model:
Fully implements the SDLC stages sequentially. This means that after the project is initiated, the analysis phase begins, and so on for the other stages in the life cycle.
Advantages:
Easy to understand and apply.
Easy to manage and track progress.
Comprehensive documentation, easy to maintain and upgrade.
Disadvantages:
Inflexible, difficult to adapt to changing requirements.
Difficult to detect errors early, potentially leading to high bug fixing costs.
Clients only see the final product, which may not meet expectations.
Agile-Scrum model:
In contrast to Waterfall, Agile focuses on flexibility and adapting to change. In the Agile model, the project is divided into short cycles (sprints), each focusing on developing and completing a small part of the software.
Within each sprint, the project team can implement all SDLC stages, from design and analysis to maintenance or upgrades (upgraded features are those developed in previous sprints and need improvement).
Advantages:
Flexible, adapts quickly to changing requirements.
Detects errors early, minimizing bug fixing costs.
Clients are involved in the development process, ensuring the product meets expectations.
Disadvantages:
Difficult to manage for large and complex projects.
Requires close collaboration among team members.
Documentation may not be as comprehensive as in Waterfall.
In conclusion, choosing between the Waterfall or Agile model depends on the specific characteristics of each project:
Waterfall is suitable for projects with clear requirements, minimal changes, and a need for detailed documentation.
Agile is suitable for projects with frequently changing requirements, requiring flexibility and rapid feedback from clients.
I hope this explanation provides you with a clearer understanding of software and software projects before you decide to embark on this career path.
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