---
id:"kb-2026-00227"
title:"Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)"
schema_type:"TechArticle"
category:"computer-science"
language:"en"
confidence:"high"
last_verified:"2026-05-22"
generation_method: "human_only"
ai_models:["claude-opus"]
derived_from_human_seed:true


known_gaps:
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completeness: 0.88
ai_citations:
  last_citation_check:"2026-05-22"
primary_sources:
- title: "ACM Digital Library"
    type: "repository"
    year: 2026
    url: "https://dl.acm.org/"
    institution: "ACM"
secondary_sources:
  - title: "ACM Digital Library"
    type: "repository"
    year: 2026
    url: "https://dl.acm.org/"
    institution: "ACM"
---

## TL;DR

SDLC is the structured process for planning, creating, testing, and deploying software. Phases: Planning → Requirements → Design → Implementation → Testing → Deployment → Maintenance. Models: Waterfall (sequential), Agile (iterative), DevOps (continuous). SDLC reduces risk, manages complexity, and ensures quality.

## Core Explanation

Waterfall: phases in strict order, no going back — works for well-understood, stable requirements. Agile: iterative sprints (1-4 weeks), continuous feedback — works for evolving requirements. DevOps: extends Agile to operations, CI/CD pipelines automate build-test-deploy. Hybrid: Wagile (Waterfall for planning, Agile for execution).

## Further Reading

- [Software Engineering (10th Ed, Sommerville)](undefined)