Program lifecycle phase is the process in which a computer program or software evolves from conception to end-of-life maintenance. It consists of six distinct phases: development, testing, maintenance, deployment, upgrade, and retirement.
Development: This phase is when the program is created and designed. Designers and developers will work together to develop the concept, the features, and the architecture of the program. This typically involves writing the source code, testing and debugging, and integration.
Testing: During this phase, the program undergoes rigorous testing and debugging to ensure its quality and functionality. The testing team will identify bugs, errors, and other issues before the program is released to the public.
Maintenance: Once the program has been released, the development team is responsible for maintaining it and fixing any bugs or errors discovered during testing. Maintenance may also involve adding new features or improving performance.
Deployment: Before the program can be used, it must be deployed to the appropriate platform. This includes setting up the necessary hardware, software, and infrastructure.
Upgrade: As technology evolves, programs must be continuously updated and upgraded to keep up with the latest security and performance standards. This requires regular maintenance, testing, and development.
Retirement: When a program outlives its usefulness, it must be retired from use and removed from the hardware or software. This phase will involve the disposal or destruction of related hardware and software, as well as removing any associated data and records.
