Introduction
SDLC stands for Software Development Life Cycle. SDLC is a series of steps or phases that serve as a model for developing and managing an application or piece of software.
In other words, it is a project management conceptual model that describes the stages of a system development project, from the initial feasibility study to the maintenance of the completed application.
If you are preparing for an SDLC interview and want a quick guide before your interview, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will discuss SDLC interview questions.
SDLC Interview Questions for Freshers
1. What is SDLC?
SDLC stands for Software Development Life Cycle. It is a systematic process which is commonly used by software development teams to design, develop and test software. It consists of a series of phases that guides the development process.
2. What is the importance of SDLC?
SDLC provides a structured approach for developing software applications, which ensures that the entire process follows a systematic and organized path. It helps in reducing chaos and mismanagement by breaking down the development cycle into smaller phases.
3. What are the Sdlc Models?
There are several models used in SDLC. Some of them are:-
- Waterfall model
- V model
- Incremental model
- Rapid Application Development(RAD) model
- Agile model
- Iterative model
- Spiral model
- Big-bang Model
- Prototype Model
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Capability Maturity Model
4. What Are the Different SDLC Phases?
SDLC approach is used to develop software systematically. The different phases involved are as follows:-
- Requirement gathering and analysis
- System Design
- Implementation or coding
- Testing
- Deployment
- Maintenance
1. Requirement Gathering Phase: The project requirements are examined in input data and desired output, processing required to convert input into output, cost-benefit analysis, and project schedule. It also includes requirements gathering, analysis, validation, and specification.
2. System Design Phase: The SRS document's requirements are translated into a logical structure that can be implemented in a programming language. System design aids in the specification of hardware, system requirements, and the definition of overall system architecture. The design phase produces a design document, which serves as an input for all subsequent SDLC phases.
3. Coding Phase: The design specified in the document is translated into programming language code that can be executed. The source code for the software that serves as input to the testing and maintenance phases is the output of the coding phase. This is the most time-consuming phase of the software development life cycle.
4. Testing Phase: The testing phase of the software development lifecycle (SDLC) is when you focus on research and discovery. During the testing phase, developers determine whether their code and programming meet client needs.
5. Maintenance Phase: The Maintenance phase includes the implementation of changes that software may go through over time and the implementation of new requirements after the software has been deployed at the customer site. The maintenance phase also includes dealing with any residual errors that may remain in the software after testing.
5. What is a Feasibility Study?
It is a metric used to determine how practical and beneficial software project development will be for a company. The software analyst investigates the project's economic, technical, and operational feasibility.
6. What are levels of testing?
Testing is a crucial part of SDLC, it makes sure the application being developed is reliable. Testing is usually done at multiple levels or stages during SDLC. Some common levels of testing are:-
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Unit Testing
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Integration Testing
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System Testing
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Acceptance Testing
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Regression Testing
- Security Testing.
7. What is SRS (Software Requirement Specification)?
The Software Requirement Specification (SRS) is a document created during the requirement gathering process. It is a process of refining and documenting requirements.
The SRS is a formal document that serves as a written contract between the customer and the development team. SRS includes the project's functional, performance, software, hardware, and network requirements.
8. Which of the SDLC model is the best?
There is no universally best SDLC model as the choice depends on various factors such as project requirements, team capabilities, project timeline, etc. Certain organizations may have preferences depending on the project context. Some commonly used SDLC models are:-
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Waterfall Model: It is suitable for projects with clear and stable requirements, where changes in the plans will not occur. The model provides a structured approach but it lacks flexibility.
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Agile Model: This iterative SDLC model is suitable for projects where the requirements may change as the project progresses, it promotes customer feedback and collaboration.
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Spiral Model: This model combines waterfall and iterative approaches. It is suitable for large and complicated projects right management is crucial.
- V-Model: This model is a variation of the waterfall model. It emphasises on testing and quality assurance. It is suitable for projects that are more focused on testing.
9. What is the baseline?
The baseline is a virtual line that represents the end of each phase. When all activities associated with a specific phase have been completed, a baseline will begin working on the next phase.
10. What Is the Waterfall Model?
The Waterfall model is a model which has a sequential design process used in software development processes.
In a waterfall model, each phase must be completed completely before moving on to the next. This model is generally used for small projects with no uncertain requirements. It is extremely simple to grasp and apply.
11. What Are the Benefits of the Waterfall Model?
- This model is straightforward to grasp and apply and implement.
- Because of the model's rigidity – each phase has specific deliverables and a review process - it is simple to manage.
- Phases are completed one at a time in this model. The phases do not mix.
- This model works well for smaller projects with well-defined requirements.
12. What is an Incremental Model?
The incremental model is a natural extension of the waterfall model. Multiple development cycles occur here, resulting in a "multi-waterfall" life cycle. Cycles are divided into smaller, more manageable iterations. Each iteration goes through the requirements, design, implementation, and testing phases.
13. What is a Prototype Model?
A prototype is a model or program that is an early approximation of the final product or software system that is not based on strict planning. A prototype is used to test the process.
A prototype model focuses on incrementally developing software and testing it in a real-time environment with customers in mind.
14. What are the various kinds of prototype models?
Prototype models are as follows-
- The Patch-Up Prototype
- First-of-a-Series Prototype
- Nonoperational Prototype
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Selected Features Prototype
15. What are the benefits of employing the Prototype model?
- Errors are detectable earlier.
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Quick user feedback is available to help lead to a better solution.
16. What are the drawbacks of the Prototype Model?
- It is a costly approach and a time-consuming process when compared to sequential models such as the Waterfall model.
- The customer may accept the prototype as the working version.
- The developer may also make implementation compromises.
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Once requirements are finalized, it is difficult to implement changes and add new requirements.
17. What Does Iterative Model Mean?
An iterative life cycle model does not begin with a complete set of requirements. Instead, development begins with specifying and implementing only a portion of the software, which can be reviewed to identify additional requirements. This process is repeated for each model cycle, resulting in a new version of the software.