Software development is the process of creating, designing, programming, and maintaining software applications or systems. It involves a broad range of activities, from initial concept and research to prototyping, programming, testing, and ongoing maintenance. While writing and maintaining source code is a core part of the process, software development also encompasses activities like documentation, modification, and re-engineering. Ultimately, it includes everything required to produce a functional software product, often following a structured approach.
The demand for improved quality control in software development has led to the emergence of software engineering, a discipline that applies a systematic and structured approach, similar to that found in traditional engineering, to the software development process. Core activities in software development include requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, and maintenance, all of which are enhanced through the principles of software engineering to ensure a higher quality outcome.