Evaluating Waterfall and Agile Software Development Methodologies
With the arrival of a new web development project in a company, everyone engages in a proactive discussion on which development methodology is to be adopted for implementation of that project. The deliberation lingers on whether waterfall is the apt methodology to be followed, or one can go agile on that project. Which is the better option? This often results in heated debate where two separate groups emerge, voicing their opinion about each of the development methodologies. The ultimate focus of such discussions is always directed towards supporting either of the two methodologies in an attempt to prove it to be the better one to handle the project.
Before you join such a group in sharing your opinion, you need to know what a development methodology is and what options are available for a developer to follow. A development methodology is nothing but a way of organizing the entire task of software development. There are two major ways to execute the tasks involved in software development – Waterfall and Agile. Waterfall is the older and traditional approach of software development, while Agile is relatively newer. However, both are usable and mature methods to develop software, which are adopted depending on the specification and requirement of the project. Let us take a close look at both these methodologies.
Waterfall follows a linear approach when developing software. It works on a series of events where one phase completes and progresses to another lined up in the sequence. The stages included in this model are gathering and documenting requirements, designing, coding and unit testing, performing system testing, performing user acceptance testing, fixing any issues and finally delivering the finished product. Each of these stages needs to be completed in order to move on to the next one. Moreover, there is a stage gate between each of these phases; such as requirements have to be reviewed and approved by the client before the designing team, which is the next stage, can start working on it.
The advantage with this model is that planning of the entire software development lifecycle is done beforehand. The developers and customers agree on the full scope of the project and deliveries in the beginning only, so the progress of the project can be easily measured. Another advantage of this model is that members involved in a particular phase of one project can work simultaneously on other projects as well. This is mainly dependent on the active phase of the project. Say testers can set up test scripts with the help of requirement documentation, while the coding is in progress. In addition to this, Waterfall model ensures less involvement on part of the client. Except for status meetings, reviews, approvals and anything else, the presence of the client is not mandatory once the requirement phase is over.
When there are so many advantages of Waterfall methodology, this seems to be quite a good option for software development. However, the benefits do not come alone. These bring their share of issues as well. The prime issue waterfall entails with it is the effectiveness of the requirements. Probably the most challenging part of developing software is gathering and documenting requirements in a manner that seem meaningful to the client. At times, presenting minutely detailed documents can intimidate clients and not help them to visualize the final outcome of the app. Although mockups and wireframe can give them a fair idea, but putting all the elements together to get a good picture of the final product might still seem a bit daunting for clients.
This leads to the obvious drawback that this model possesses is high possibility of dissatisfaction on part of the client, when the ultimate software is delivered. Since the client gets to see only the final product, there are chances that the client might provide feedbacks that bring forth numerous changes after the delivery. The problem arises in implementing those changes as this becomes extremely difficult and costly. Keeping the positive and negative aspects of Waterfall in mind, let us try to understand Agile software development methodologies slightly better.
Agile is an iterative approach to software development that focuses on fast delivery of app incorporating all functional components. The entire development process in this model takes place through phases that are called sprints. Each sprint is expected to be completed within a stipulated time duration that includes a list of pre-planned deliverables. These deliverables are prioritized by the client depending on their business value. In case any sprint fails to be completed within that time frame or the client wishes to share some valuable feedback on the work that has been done till then, the entire task plan is rescheduled and reprioritized. This is mainly done to incorporate the latest information and plan the future sprints properly.
After completion of every sprint, the client is expected to review and evaluate that. So that any further improvement if suggested by the client can be very well integrated in the next sprint. The advantage of this model is the client gets clarity about the development phase. With frequent and early opportunities to see the deliverables, changes can be brought in at any stage of development of the project. This way the client develops and enjoys a sense of ownership on the project. Since, agile can create and deliver a basic version of working software, it can allow clients to start marketing the app, while it is being created; so the time to market the product gets reduced as well.
This is definitely more flexible model than Waterfall, and can work wonders for teams that are dedicated to one particular project only. However, there are some issues with this model as well. Since, this model demands high involvement of clients, some people might not prefer to opt in favor of this. It is simply due to the reason that they might lack time or interest to take a look at every phase of development. For them, this active participation might not be called for. But, clients who can manage to participate in various sprints of the software development and see their product getting shape in front of their eyes; this is definitely a good option to go for.
Analyzing both the models, it can be certainly said that each holds definite grounds, and offers separate share of benefits. Depending on the requirements and priorities of clients, they can either go for Waterfall or Agile, whichever suits them best. After all, the ultimate goal of achieving amazingly engaging software is the motto, irrespective of the methodology to be adopted.
About Author: Kristina Louis is a Professional content writer and an engineering college student. She likes writing blogs and posts on Mobile Apps Development .Kristina have written a number of articles for various web-sites like http://www.qaitdevlabs.com/ .
YouTube SEO -6 Steps Formula To attract more visitor
Nowadays, get more visitors to your new video on YouTube is not an easy task, if you have not a good strategy or have not thousands of connections in the social world than its going to pretty tough for you. Obviously celebrity no need to spent lots of money to advertise or for get more popular, because they already have millions of visit and like from their fans, but it means not that you can’t popular, of course you may, you have to research How to get more YouTube Views, some SEO secret tricks for discussing below…
Only FOUR categories in search
One eye opener hidden fact about YouTube.com is that the site use only four categories News&Politics, Science&Tech, Howto&Style, and Gaming, in advance searching, means if anybody use advanced search facility then in return site will show only those videos those uploaded under these (4) categories, and other will skip, and if your video(s) not in the result of course you lost, so what to do? Don’t worry these categories’ are more wide and you can probably tailor any of them to your video.
Keep Description Sort
The second one least but important thing is that YouTube show approximately 22 words description on query page, and here you have to beat competitor to attract visitor’s concern on your video, put second level keyword in description as well as keep it clear and descriptive within 20-22 words limit, always keep in mind that neither too short nor too long descriptions recommended. Hyperlink in description required start with http:// other wise your link will not change in clickable text.
Optimize Video Transcript
Ensure to use the facility of video transcript fully after all it’s an open invitation to search engine to index your video(s), actually it is closed caption file that readable by search engine as well as by human, search engine use it to know about your content and user can read it on list page. The Keywords Rich Video Transcripts under 27-character is a good idea to get boost.
Use of SEO friendly Tag
YouTube.com allow to video up loader to include tags for SEO purpose, and this is the important place where you can put most relevant keywords, for prevent from abuse you can add limited tags to per video, you need to give more concern to put keywords.
Invite User for Participate
Everybody like invitation, don’t you? There are no doubts that visitor may have some question to ask to you or they may have some ideas to share that can increase quality, so you should always permit the comments, the embedding for your YouTube videos also can increase the visitor as well as link popularity though the one more thing associates here with comments, actually you have to monitor for control comments and spam comments, but encouraging audience to participation can be a great way to increase your brand visibility online.
These are some basic methods that can increase hits on your YouTube videos dramatically; you can use your own tricks also, but keep in mind that over seo also can destroy your brand on this site.
MG’s Dynamo concept is its first fully electric car
MG is celebrating its 90th year in the car-making business, so to mark the occasion, it’s decided to take the wrappings off its first ever fully electric vehicle. Created at parent company SAIC’s European Design and Technical Centre (SMTC), the MG Dynamo concept won’t be found on Britain’s streets just yet (the model you see above is actually classed as a “static preview”) because it solely exists to help the once-struggling automaker gauge Europe’s demand for a small, electric EV. That said, MG says the Dynamo is capable of generating 70hp of power and can be charged to 80 percent battery capacity in just 30 minutes (a full six hour charge offers a range of around 50 miles). With Mayor Boris Johnson campaigning to get 100,000 EVs on London’s streets, MG may one day take its place alongside Renault, Nissan and Volkswagen with its own little city car.
Filed under: Transportation
Via: GizMag
Source: MG
Google’s latest Street View algorithm beats its bot-sniffing security system
You know how Google’s been doing such a great job associating addresses with their locations on a map? Apparently, it’s all thanks to the company’s new magical algorithm that can parse (with 90 percent accuracy) even fuzzy numbers in pictures taken by Street View vehicles. In fact, the technology’s so good that it managed to read even those headache-inducing swirly reCAPTCHA images 99 percent of the time during the company’s tests. While that proves that the system works really well, it also implies that the distorted Rorschach-like puzzles are not a fool-proof indicator of whether a user is human.
Yes, robots can beat reCAPTCHA after all, but Google swears that it doesn’t matter. The company says these findings have nudged it to build additional safeguards, so that it now looks at a number of clues (and not just the text you type in) to determine if you’re human or not. Google didn’t expound on what those clues are, but next time you get another set of reCAPTCHA puzzles despite doing it right the first time around, you know what’s up.
Source: Google (1), (2)
BBC iPlayer and Sky streaming apps go dark on iOS
If you’ve experienced problems trying to access BBC iPlayer or Sky’s streaming apps on your iPhone or iPad today, you’re not alone. In what appears to be a connected issue, both companies have confirmed that users are currently unable to access their streaming services on an Apple device. Right now, Android phones and tablets remain unaffected, while Netflix continues to enjoy trouble-free playback. The BBC reports that some users have been able to circumvent Now TV errors by setting their iOS clock back by 24 hours, suggesting that the issues are date related. However, the workaround may stop other apps from operating normally. Both the BBC and Sky say they’re working hard to restore access to their services, but are unable to say exactly when they expect them to do so.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet
Source: BBC iPlayer Help, Sky Status, Now TV Support
The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 will be a “new form factor”, Samsung searching again for the next big Thing
The Samsung Galaxy Note line of so-called ‘phablet‘ devices has been its own bag of surprises over the last few years; while many were sceptical that the original Galaxy Note would even sell, let alone be iterated upon, we are already onto the 3rd generation of the giant-screened smartphones and the future still looks bright for this sector of the market. The allure of the Galaxy Note family has faded, however, as most other major manufacturers have launched their own phablet device in the hopes of capturing their own part of the market. Naturally then, Samsung is looking for a new way to make their next phablet, expected to be named the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, appear even more attractive to consumers.
In an interview with Reuters, Yoon Han-kil, Samsung’s Senior Vice President of Product Strategy briefly illuminated Samsung’s ambitions for the next Galaxy Note device. As expected, Yoon confirmed that the next Note could be expected to launch in the second half of 2014, but also mentioned that the device would be in a “new form factor”, adding that “Our ultimate goal is to make products that consumers really aspire to have. This is how we are trying to find a breakthrough in the stagnant premium market.” What exactly was meant by ‘new form factor’ is unknown, but this is definitely exciting news for fans of phablets as it means Samsung is really looking at putting their stamp on the market they helped to create.
What do you think about Yoon’s comments? Do you think the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 can be the game-changer that Samsung wants it to be, and what do you think it needs to do this? Let us know what your opinion is in the comments below.
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Eyefi’s new service sends your camera’s photos to the cloud as soon as you shoot
There are plenty of cameras that send their photos to your phone, but you frequently have to transfer those pictures yourself — and it’s another hassle to get the pics to other devices. Eyefi thinks it can solve these headaches by launching its own online service, Eyefi Cloud. If you’re using one of the company’s WiFi-equipped Mobi cards in your camera alongside new Android and iOS apps, any photos go both to your mobile device and Cloud right after you’ve hit the shutter button. You only need a browser to manage your shots, so you’re not stuck if you want to see your photos on a new PC.
Cloud costs $49 per year for an unlimited number of uploads, so it’s potentially superior to auto-syncing storage services like Dropbox or Google+ if you take a lot of snapshots. Don’t worry if you’re hesitant to pay up front, though. You’ll get three months of free service just by grabbing the app and signing in. The necessary Mobi cards start at a relatively high $49 for an 8GB model, but you may not have to worry about capacity now that there’s an easy way to back up images before you get home.
Filed under: Cellphones, Cameras, Storage, Internet, Mobile
Source: Eyefi
Canada makes first Heartbleed arrest after tax agency hack
Canadian police just made what could possibly be the first Heartbleed-related arrest. The suspect? A 19-year-old London, Ontario teenager named Stephen Arthuro Solis-Reyes who’s being accused of hacking the Canada Revenue Agency website and stealing almost 1,000 Social Insurance Numbers. Canadian mounties believe Solis-Reyes pilfered info from the agency by exploiting the infamous Heartbleed bug, so they seized his computer as evidence during a raid of his home. If you haven’t read our explainer yet, Heartbleed’s an OpenSSL bug that gives hackers the opening they need to steal sensitive data like passwords. Unfortunately, the tax agency didn’t patch up the vulnerability quick enough and only shut down the site to do so after the digital heist.
Solis-Reyes’ lawyer describes him as a bright, A student, who’s currently too emotional to speak about what happened. Apparently, the teenager turned himself in after authorities threatened to arrest him during one of his classes. He’s slated to appear in an Ottawa court to face two charges (one for unauthorized computer use and another for mischief in relation to data) on July 17th. We’ll likely hear more about the case when that happens, but for now, Canadians might be happy to know they have until May 5th to file their taxes due to what happened.
Via: CNN
Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
You can now watch A&E and History live on iOS and the web
A&E Networks is regularly finding ways to make its programming more widely available, particularly by having on-demand options through TV providers and its own apps. To help boost these efforts, the company’s now bringing live streaming into the fold, at least with a couple of properties. As of today, viewers can now watch a real-time feed of A&E and History, via each channel’s website and their applications on iOS — no word on when, or if, the feature will head to Android. Naturally, you’ll need a cable subscription to enjoy this, as is often the case for most services that use the internet to broadcast entertainment content.
Of course, TV Everywhere offerings like Time Warner Cable’s mobile apps already made live streaming A&E and History possible, so long as you’ve had access to the right channel package. By doing this, however, A&E Networks is essentially cutting out the middle man and, in the process, giving you another option for times when you might need it. A&E Networks Senior VP of Digital Media, Evan Silverman, told Variety that “this is just another stage in our evolution of TV Everywhere.”
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD
Via: Variety
Amazon’s making a custom Kindle store for Samsung Galaxy devices
Samsung seems to be on a roll with bagging media partnerships for its Galaxy line of phones and tablets. First music streaming service Deezer, and now it’s getting a custom-built Kindle book store in a deal with Amazon. Announced this morning, the service also gives Galaxy owners (starting with the GS5, but more to follow) 12 free books a year. Users will get four “prominent” titles a month to choose from, which have been “chosen specifically” for Galaxy owners (whatever that means). Samsung’s already laden with bespoke services, such as its Milk internet radio platform, its own custom app store, and there’s even an existing Samsung Books app. Of course, let’s not forget the existing Kindle app for Android. However, if you want to snag yourself those free libros, Kindle for Samsung launches in the next two weeks.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung
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