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1. Software development is the backbone of today’s digital world. From mobile applications to enterprise-level systems, every reliable and secure software product is the result of a structured development process. This process is widely known as the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), which consists of seven essential stages. Understanding these stages helps developers, students, and entrepreneurs turn ideas into fully functional software. The first stage is Planning, which lays the foundation of the entire project. It defines the purpose, goals, feasibility, resources, and risks involved. Once planning is complete, the process moves into Requirement Analysis, where developers and analysts identify what the users and the business expect from the software. Next comes the Design Phase, where system architecture, database design, UI/UX, and security frameworks are drafted to create a blueprint for development. In the Development Stage, this blueprint is translated into actual code using programming languages like Java, Python, or JavaScript. After development, the software enters the Testing Phase, where QA experts perform unit, integration, system, and user acceptance tests to ensure reliability and performance. Once the product is stable, it moves to the Deployment Phase, where it is released to users through controlled or full-scale rollouts. The final stage is Maintenance, which involves updates, bug fixes, performance improvements, and security patches to keep the software functional and up-to-date. Following these seven stages ensures better quality, reduced risks, improved planning, and ultimately, higher user satisfaction.