The Waterfall model is a sequential software development methodology. It breaks down the development process into distinct phases, each of which must be completed in its entirety before moving on to the next. Here’s a breakdown of its characteristics and how it works:
Phases of the Waterfall Model:
Requirements Gathering and Analysis: This phase involves collecting and understanding the requirements of the stakeholders (e.g., users, clients) for the software. It defines what the software should do and its functionalities.
System Design and Architecture: Based on the gathered requirements, this phase focuses on designing the system’s architecture, defining the overall structure of the software, hardware, and network components.
Implementation and Coding: During this phase, developers write the actual code based on the design specifications created in the previous phase.
Verification and Testing: The developed software undergoes rigorous testing to identify and fix bugs and ensure it meets the defined requirements.
Deployment and Maintenance: Once thoroughly tested, the software is deployed to the target environment, and maintenance is performed to address any issues or implement future enhancements.
