What is a prototype model in software engineering?
A prototype model is one kind of dummy model which is created by web developers or content developers to convert the text format to image format. Prototype model in software engineering uses various tools for this methodology such as Adobe Photoshop, HTML, or Paint. Nowadays it is also called a requirement. The prototype methodology in software testing is used when any requirements are complicated or large at the time this methodology helps to determine the requirements.
Prototype Model Phases:
The main focus of this model is to provide a system with overall functionality. The prototype model in software engineering has six main phases. It shows as below
- Requirements and gathering
- Quick design
- Build a Prototype
- Customer Evaluation
- Refining Prototype
- Engineering Product
Phase 1: Requirements and gathering
In this phase, the requirements of the project are gathered from the customers. During this process, customers have explained their expectations of the product.
Phase 2: Quick Design
In this phase, preliminary designs of the system are created. It explains the brief idea of the project to the customer. It is created the simple design of the project.
Phase 3: Building Prototype
In this phase, the actual work of the design is started based on the quick design phase. This is required for a small working model.
Phase 4: Customer evaluation
In this phase, the enhanced system is served to the customers for an initial evaluation. It is required because it helps to find out the pros and cons of the working model. Also collected the comments from the customers and given them to the development team.
Phase 5: Refining prototype
In this phase, If the customer is not happy with the prototype, it is necessary to refine the prototype according to the customer’s comments and feedback. So when the customer will satisfy with the prototype, the system will be developed based on the approved prototype.
Phase 6: Engineering Product
In this last phase, the final product is developed based on the final prototype. It is released on production after thoroughly testing the product.
Diagram of Prototype Model:
Prototype model advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages and Disadvantages of prototype are shown below
Prototype model advantages :
- Customers are actively involved in the development phase.
- Defects can be detected at early
- Confusion or difficulty in the requirements can be identified
- In this model, missing features can be identified easily.
Prototype model advantages :
- In this model, It is a time taking process.
- It is difficult to manage due to the client’s on-demand changes.
- Documentations are not prepared well due to changes in the requirements.
- Sometimes customers are not involved in the iteration cycles.
Conclusion:
So in this way, This model is used in the software development life cycle. If you are looking for more SDLC model tutorials then please visit below the links.
Thank you, Readers…!!!
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