Everything you need to know about application development types and methodologies

Application development methodologies
What is application development?

What is application development?

Application development is an in-depth process that stretches from the gathering of requirements for a specific computer program to its designing, programming, testing, and maintenance. The computer program can be anything from a simple expense tracker to a full-blown ERP system.

Every app development process follows a fixed set of steps which we will look at in the next section.

What are the main steps in the app development process?

Requirement gathering

The first step in every application development process is to gather the requirements of the process that need to be digitized. This will involve pulling in all the stakeholders related to the process and collecting the relevant business requirements. Once this is collated, the blueprint of the application can be put in place.

Design

Once the requirements are gathered, the next phase is the design phase, where the complete architecture of the application is outlined. This step includes deciding on everything from the look (UI) and feel (UX) of the app to the technology stack selection. The software architect, in collaboration with designers, align both the front end and the back end of the app in line with user expectations.

Development

In the app development phase, software developers use programming languages, frameworks, and other technical tools to create the application based on the design and plan. This is the step when the actual product starts to take shape.

Testing

Once the development team has built the app, it's tested extensively for bugs and defects. The testing process usually has multiple steps to ensure that the app created is strong on different fronts, like function, usability, security, and performance.

Deployment

Once quality assurance is completed, the next step is deployment. Deployment of the app depends on where it's to be published. It could be on web servers or in a mobile app store or other cloud environment. Once the app is deployed, it's available to end users.

Maintenance

Application development does not end with the deployment phase. Once deployed, any application needs to be maintained and updated periodically. App developers usually update software programs to bring in features based on user feedback, to fix bugs, or for security reasons.

What are the 5 main application development methodologies?

  • Waterfall
  • Iterative
  • V-model
  • Agile
  • Spiral

Waterfall

The waterfall model works in a linear, sequential process, where each step's output feeds into the next, like a cascading waterfall. The final software is only accessible at the project's conclusion, making it suitable for well-defined, short-term projects.

Iterative

This model lets a development team build small parts of a solution and add to it progressively, testing it with each new build. The iterative model is much more flexible for that reason, and is best suited for well-defined, medium-term projects.

V-model

In this model, there's a verification phase for each step in the development process, which ensures that there's consistent validation across the flow. It's basically the waterfall model with verification phases, and is suited for small-to-medium projects.

Agile

The Agile model supports rapid application development by taking the best of the iterative model and adding a time component to it, with the aim of delivering a working piece of software quickly. Smaller projects are merged into builds and added to the base app and released every week or month.

Spiral

This model is ideal for medium-to-long term projects and works in iterative phases. It's a model that promotes high flexibility and faster prototyping. It's best suited for projects that are vague at the start and need a lot of change during the building process.

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What are the various types of application development?

Web app development

This method is used to develop apps that are accessible through web browsers. Web apps are built to function seamlessly across different form factors or platforms. Developers usually use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, or a combination of these, to build web apps. An example of a web app is an online marketplace that can be accessed across platforms to browse, buy, or sell products.

Mobile app development

In this method, the apps are developed specifically for mobile devices like smartphones or tablets. Mobile software applications are usually published on an OS-specific native app store developed with Swift (iOS for the Apple App Store) or Kotlin (Android for the Google Play Store). Some apps are also created on cross-platform technology, like React Native, for simultaneous deployment on different platforms.

Database app development

Database apps are software solutions whose core capabilities are to manage, report, and retrieve databases for better data storage and organization. The most popular example of this kind of application is CRM (customer relationship management) software that enables businesses to store and manage customer information efficiently.

Rapid app development

This is a software development method that's focused on faster prototyping and iteration, with the aim of speeding up the application lifecycle. This involves tools or methodologies that enable faster app creation and publishing.

Low-code app development

Low-code development employs platforms that require minimal coding, allowing users with little to no technical skills to create sophisticated software programs. These platforms are packed with visual development tools and prebuilt components that help greatly speed up app deployment. This method empowers citizen developers (users with process and industry expertise but little to no coding skills) to build their own applications for their departments.

No-code app development

No-code development enables nontechnical users to create functional applications. These tools help build basic to semi-complex applications with the help of intuitive visual builders and prebuilt components. A no-code platform helps users build simple project management solutions with ease, but won't be suited to building complex applications like CRMs or ERPs.

Custom app development

When an off-the-shelf application can't solve a requirement, custom app development is the go-to approach. This method involves creating bespoke solutions for specific business requirements, and the resulting product will have functionalities that are contextual to the business unit for which it was created.

IoT app development

IoT app development is specifically employed to create applications for the Internet of Things, which acts as the messenger between, and controller of, smart devices. An example of this is a mobile app that allows users to control lighting around their homes, or even something as crucial as their home security systems.

Enterprise app development

This is the process of building enterprise software systems to manage complex processes, connecting and organizing the actions/data of thousands of employees or customers. These solutions will require intricate integrations between multiple applications and databases, resulting in end-to-end systems.

How does an app contribute to business growth?

Improved customer experience (CX)

Publishing an app to serve your customers can greatly benefit their experience interacting with the different services of a business, including enhanced accessibility and convenience. From clearly communicating the status of an order/service to providing avenues to initiate support or feedback flows, an app can hold together the customer-facing processes of a business. Most popular B2C apps, like Amazon or Uber, are examples of solutions enhancing user experience.

Increased efficiency

Apps help in increasing business efficiency by bettering communication, streamlining processes, and automating tedious tasks. They act as mediums to centralize data management and optimize workflows—and communication gaps are greatly reduced by the use of collaboration features in apps. They also provide tools for analytics, enabling businesses to identify areas of improvement, make data-driven decisions, and improve their operations.

Customized solutions

Each business is unique in how they function—and apps can be used to provide customized solutions. Customized solutions align seamlessly with existing processes and significantly improve their efficiency and intuitiveness. In addition, they also improve employee productivity and the overall customer experience when interacting with different touch points. Businesses can also build competitive advantages when they implement customized software systems in alignment with their business execution vision.

Deeper analysis

Implementing software applications for business processes can result in the generation of a lot of critical data that can be analyzed to gain insights about process efficiency, customer behavior, and more. The information gathered can then be used to improve overall processes, or in parts, and also design and implement targeted campaigns to improve customer engagement and derive business value.

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How is app development different from software development?

App development

App development is the process of developing applications specific to platforms like mobile operating systems or desktop environments. These apps are often built in a way that prioritizes user interface (UI) design, to deliver an engaging experience. The emphasis of this process is to develop tailored solutions with specific functionalities to meet the needs of a particular audience or requirement.

Software development

This is a much more extensive process, which ranges beyond the scope of just developing applications. The scope includes the development of system software, middleware, and diverse applications that can run on various platforms, from desktop computers to embedded systems. The software that's built has a varied list of distribution channels—like direct downloads, physical media, or online repositories—and it serves a broader spectrum of purposes beyond the scope of a single application.

In essence, app development is a subset of software development.

What are the best practices for application development?

Some of the best practices to undertake when building applications are:

  • Start with clear objectives, like the app's purpose, key modules, and clear user profiles.
  • When testing the app, ensure that unit, integration, and user acceptance testing are done.
  • esearch the need or market fit of the solution that needs to be developed.
  • Robust security measures need to be implemented along with regular updates.
  • Build the application with user experience as one of the main qualities.
  • Document all code, APIs, and architecture details clearly for future reference.
  • Create apps that are compatible on multiple platforms and operating systems.

What is the future of application development?

Low-code/no-code is an up-and-coming method that helps with both front-end and back-end development. In traditional development, the focus is on knowing a programming language, whereas in low-code/no-code a strong understanding of the domain for which the app is developed is most important. These platforms allow users to create web or mobile applications that fulfill business requirements with ease by abstracting the technical complexities.

Read more about the benefits of low-code

How can you use Zoho Creator's low-code capabilities to build business apps with ease?

Zoho Creator is a leading low-code development platform that's being used by 22,000+ businesses worldwide. Creating applications on the platform requires little to no coding, thanks to the ease of use and abstraction that's built in to it. The platform's top 5 capabilities that help business users are:

Form/UI builder

This feature lets users create UI and data validations for their apps with zero coding.

Report builder

The report builder helps users view their input data in different report formats, like lists, kanban, and maps.

Workflow builder

App logic is developed using this builder, and most simple workflow tasks, like triggering an email or approval request, can be easily achieved with it.

Page/dashboard builder

Dashboards serve as the aggregator of different data points, and Zoho Creator gives users the power to build intuitive and attractive dashboards with no coding at all.

Mobile app builder

Any application built on the platform also comes with a readymade mobile app, without the need to duplicate effort in building additional solutions.

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FAQs on application development

What are some common mistakes to avoid in application development?

Some of the most common mistakes to avoid are:

  • Lack of clarity about the requirements for the app
  • Not evaluating the market fit of the application
  • Significant effort not being put into security protocols
  • Shortfalls in UI/UX effort
  • Neglecting the scope of scaling
  • Ignoring the need for maintenance
  • Lacking cross-platform capabilities
  • Poor documentation practices

What are some of the latest trends in application development?

The top 7 trends in development today are:

  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) integration
  • Progressive web apps (PWAs)
  • Blockchain for security
  • Low-code/no-code technology
  • Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR)
  • Edge computing
  • Cross-platform development

What are some of the best tools for application development?

The best general tools for app development are:

  • Integrated development environments (IDE)
  • Version control systems
  • Continuous integration (CI) and continuous delivery (CD) tools
  • Bug tracking systems

While these are general tools to create apps, there are other platforms/frameworks which will be required, based on the type of application you're building. If you're creating a mobile application, a cross-platform framework like React Native can help.

What are some of the best resources for learning application development?

If you're planning to get started with app development there are many resources available:

How will application development evolve in the coming years?

Application development's trajectory for the future looks very exciting, with breakthroughs in AGI, the rise of edge computing, and the evolution and increased adoption of low-code/no-code platforms. There's also growth in the focus on security and privacy across the globe, which will change the way every software developer creates solutions. Finally, the convergence of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) will lead to the creation of highly immersive app experiences.

How do pro-code, low-code, and no code compare?

Pro-code

This method is built for professional coders, with emphasis on manual coding for better control. Choosing this approach depends on the need for extreme customization and availability of technical resources.

Low-code

Low-code is suited when business-IT collaboration is needed for successful implementation of a project. In this approach, writing code is reduced due to its visual approach to development.

No-code

This approach is suited for nontechnical individuals who want to put together simple and semi-complex automations for specific tasks in their workflow. This is a highly user-friendly approach and requires no coding knowledge at all.

What is the role of an application developer?

An application developer is someone who designs, programs, and deploys software apps. Their work also involves collaborating with customers or other stakeholders, to gather requirements and perform user-side testing of the solution. An application developer needs to be proficient in software languages, problem-solving, and communicating with technical and nontechnical users.