Author Archives: skarkonan

choosing the right software development mythology: Agile, or Waterfall?

Whether you’re embarking on a new project or contemplating a shift in your development approach, deciding between Agile and Waterfall methodologies can be challenging. Selecting the right approach is crucial for the successful development of your project. In this blog, we will analyze the specifics of Agile and Waterfall methodologies to help you make an informed decision tailored to your project’s needs.

Understanding Agile

Ever wondered about the magic behind Agile Software Development? I have recently come across a blog on Agile development by Martin Fowler, a British software developer, author, and international public speaker on software development, who specializes in object-oriented analysis and design, UML, patterns, and agile software development methodologies, including extreme programming. The blog “Agile Software Guide” by Mr. Fowler takes you on a journey through its beginnings and the core ideas that makes Agile work. Written by someone who was there from the start, this blog unravels the secrets of Agile development. The author shares early memories of Extreme Programming and co-authoring the Manifesto for Agile Software Development that sets the stage for an insightful tour through the world of Agile, coming from a credible source who has seen it from its beginnings. The blog dives into the key concepts of Agile thinking, emphasizing how it differs from traditional software engineering. It breaks it down into two main points: being adaptable instead of sticking to plans, and focusing on people rather than processes. A simple breakdown that makes the essence of Agile clear. Mr. Fowler also talks about Agile plans being like a flexible baseline, changing as the project progresses. Unlike traditional plans that demand sticking to a set path, Agile plans are adjusted based on what’s happening. Success in Agile is all about the value the software brings, not just following a rigid plan. However, with all its advantages, the blog doesn’t pretend Agile is perfect. It talks about the challenges, like some practices being called “Agile” when they really aren’t. This honesty adds a dose of reality, reminding everyone to keep an eye on how Agile is actually being used. Agile methodology is often praised for its customer-centric, and flexible approach to software development. In Agile, projects are divided into small increments with minimal planning, and teams work in short cycles, known as iterations or sprints. The methodology emphasizes collaboration, customer feedback, and the flexibility to adapt to changing requirements in which results in continuous delivery of functional software, close collaboration between cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and the customers.

understanding Waterfall

Unlike Agile, the Waterfall methodology follows a linear and step-by-step approach. the project is divided into distinct stages where each stage build’s upon the previous one. The development process flows steadily downwards similar to an actual waterfall, through stages like requirements, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance. Each stage must be completed before the next one begins, and changes are discouraged once a phase is underway.

How to choose the right methodology? 

The choice depends on several factors, such as project requirements, team expertise, and customer involvement in your development process. If project requirements are clearly defined from the beginning, and changes won’t be necessary during the development process, then the Waterfall methodology could be the right choice for you. However, I personally believe that Agile methodology is usually the right choice for most projects.

In today’s world of constant change, adaptability is crucial in any developmental process. Additionally, based on my experience in various customer service jobs, I’ve realized that customers often don’t know exactly what they want. Therefore, having the ability to adapt if the customers’ needs changes’ slightly is incredibly important.

Agile Software Development: A Concise Overview. (2023). Retrieved from https://martinfowler.com/agile.html

From the blog CS@Worcester – The Bits & Bytes Universe by skarkonan and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

choosing the right software development mythology: Agile, or Waterfall?

whether you’re beginning a new project or complementing a change in your developmental approach, it can be difficult to choose whether Agile methodology can assist us to successfully develop our idea or Waterfall methodology. choosing the right approach is tremendously crucial to successfully developing the project. In this blog, we will analyze the specifics of Agile, and Waterfall methologies to help you make an informed decision that is tailored to your projects needs.

understanding Agile

Agile methodology is often praised for its customer-centric, and flexible approach to software development. In Agile, projects are divided into small increments with minimal planning, and teams work in short cycles, known as iterations or sprints. The methodology emphasizes collaboration, customer feedback, and the flexibility to adapt to changing requirements in which results in continuous delivery of functional software, close collaboration between cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and the customers.

understanding Waterfall

Unlike Agile, the Waterfall methodology follows a linear and step-by-step approach. the project is divided into distinct stages where each stage build’s upon the previous one. The development process flows steadily downwards similar to an actual waterfall, through stages like requirements, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance. Each stage must be completed before the next one begins, and changes are discouraged once a phase is underway.

So, how do you choose which methodology is the right fit for your project? The choice depends on several factors, such as project requirements, team expertise, and customer involvement in your development process. If the project requirements are clearly defined from the beginning, and changes won’t be necessary during the development process, then the Waterfall methodology could be the right choice for you. However, I personally believe that Agile methodology is usually the right choice for most projects. In today’s world of constant change, adaptability is crucial in any developmental process. Additionally, based on my experience in various customer-service jobs I have had, I’ve realized that customers often don’t know exactly what they want. Therefore, having the ability to adapt if the customer’s needs change slightly is incredibly important.

From the blog CS@Worcester – The Bits & Bytes Universe by skarkonan and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Introduction

Hello, friends, future programmers, tech enthusiasts, and fellow seekers of digital wisdom.

Welcome to my Bits And Bytes universe. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sepehr Karkonan, and I’m an aspiring software developer currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science at Worcester State University in the heart of Worcester, Massachusetts. I chose to pursue software development because, why not?! As a software developer, you get to design and create digital solutions from scratch, put your creativity, critical thinking, and logical skills to the test, and, most importantly, you have the opportunity to change the world for the better. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination; therefore, the sky is the limit. This blog is for anyone who shares a passion for technology and curiosity about software development. In the upcoming blog posts, I’ll be sharing a variety of topics, including my experiences and challenges as a computer science student, insights into emerging technologies and industry trends, and stories from my coding journey, including the wins and lessons learned. I’m looking forward to share my journey with you all, and I hope you enjoy the content and gain valuable lessons from my experiences.

Cheers, Sepehr Karkonan

From the blog CS@Worcester – The Bits & Bytes Universe by skarkonan and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.