Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), also known as the Software Development Process, provides a well-managed framework in the software industry to design, develop, and test applications. SDLC is a complicated yet substantial multi-stage process that follows specific, compelling models from the ideation stage to the product’s final release.
A well-thought-out SDLC forms the project’s foundation, draws expectations at each stage, mitigates risks, boosts the project’s transparency, and guides the project to finish in time and on budget. While there are various SDLC models, the ultimate goal is to ensure high-quality software that provides customers with intended solutions.
Completing projects within the scheduled timeline and budget can be a daunting endeavour even to the most enthusiastic planners. However, devising strategies like proper planning, hiring experienced developers, practising project management, setting clear communication, and implementing proactive risk management can contribute vastly to finishing projects as scheduled, meeting stakeholders’ expectations.
Additionally, utilizing containers can help streamline the software development process. Containers are a streamlined approach to design, test, and deploy software on multiple environments from the developer’s personal computer to on-premises servers and even the cloud. In light of this, if you are a software team leader, consider a Kubernetes-based container platform from SUSE to reap the benefits mentioned below.
Portability
Because a software container carries all the dependencies with it, it can run virtually anywhere. Whether you are employing a Windows or a Linux operating system, a virtual machine or bare metal server, or a developer’s laptop, containers deploy quickly with minimal hardware changes.
Consistency
Containers give software developers the freedom to create sturdy, structured system environments isolated from other applications. Furthermore, it’s a self-sufficient piece of code that can accommodate specific software features such as programming language. This way, software developers can pour their concentration into building software using their top-choice programming language and tools without paying too much attention to the deployment environment.
Container consistency boosts productivity as developers spend less time diagnosing, debugging, and learning variables in multiple environments.
Scalability
Unless short-sighted, many businesses operate with the view of scaling out their operations. However, company expansion comes with soaring IT needs. And as you likely know, expanding current IT architecture is expensive and challenging for many companies to employ.
Fortunately, containers allow expansion of business operations at unprecedented levels with minimal overheads. Because this software utilizes the cloud platform, adding (or removing) a container takes a second or two, cutting down processing times and accentuating business needs.
Reduced costs
Because containers don’t require operating system images, it translates to fewer resources than brick and mortar virtual machine environments. These systems take up minimal space (measured in megabytes or less), meaning developers can spin many of them in a single server (instead of several), saving companies capital and operational expenditures.
Agility
Containers support DevOps, which accelerates testing and development of software, shortening the SDLC. Utilizing containers during the initial stages of the software development process streamlines workflow and gives developers access to various tools to automate multiple operations.
Training
While IT managers shudder at training and team recruitment expenses associated with new technologies, companies don’t need a team overhaul when using container technology. Since these vessels are partially built into the Linux Kernel operating system, most developers have the appropriate skill set to handle container technology and are familiar with Linux intricacies.
To conclude
Because software development is complex, container-based technology simplifies the process by ensuring applications deploy seamlessly and consistently. Agile and consistent container technology enables developers and IT operations to focus on their core competencies without worrying about programming language and other software specifications. As such, software team leaders can successfully deliver complete projects benefitting both the users and the business.