What is the software development life cycle (SDLC)?

The software development life cycle (SDLC) is fundamentally a detailed process that encompasses all stages of software development, from conception to deployment. This option accurately reflects the comprehensive nature of SDLC, which includes several key phases: planning, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance. Each of these phases is crucial for ensuring that the software is well-structured, meets user requirements, and is reliable and maintainable over time.

Planning establishes the project scope and requirements, while creating involves the actual coding of the software. Testing ensures that the application functions as intended and identifies any bugs or issues that might exist. Once the software is deemed ready, deployment refers to making the product available for users. Throughout this process, maintenance is also essential to address any issues post-launch and to improve the software based on user feedback.

The other concepts, while related to aspects of software management and security, do not encapsulate the full breadth of the SDLC. Focusing solely on testing or post-deployment security misses significant pre-release stages, and marketing strategies, while important in a business context, fall outside the technical process of developing software itself. Thus, highlighting this comprehensive process is key to understanding the SDLC in its entirety.