What Are The Steps Involved In The Software Development Life Cycle?

Let us first discuss the SDLC, you'd be wonder to hear from me that as far as Software development is concerned there is no practical SDLC to apply. In-fact every software development process propose its own development life cycle model or in other words. There is no any specific SDLC to fit in any development process.
Theoretical several steps are involved but I'd like to share those which I've carried out during my job as Business Analyst for the software company.

These steps are:
1.Requirement gathering
2.formalizing requirement (making a document of it)
3. Designing Mockup (software interface screens)
4. Converting the Mockup into Prototype (software with fake functionality with just according to client requirements)
5. When Prototype is approved by the customer/client
Than doing development (making prototype functional)
6. Software Testing
7.Releasing to the client/customer

These are the steps that are usually performed for any medium level software construction in medium level software company.You would be wonder even to hear the quote of famous computer architect Linus Tarvold (founder of Linux Operating system) that all the major software projects that has hit the market has never been passed through these SDLC process that are taught to us in computer science classes. This quote has also indicated that all these SDLC are just theoretical and has a very rare connection with practical software development.

The software development life cycle is also called system development life cycle (SDLC). The following are the steps of SDLC.

Initial Review: When a system is going to designed / developed the initial study of the system is called initial review. In this step the overall functionality if briefed that what is going to be developed.

Feasibility Report: When the initial review is done than the feasibility study takes place. In this step the proposed system is studies that whether it is possible to develop the proposed system and will it be beneficial or not.

Analysis: In this step the deeply analysis are done. All the entities involved in the system are considered. The facts are collected. It is studied, how the flow of information will be controlled. All types of requirements will be studied.

Design & Development: The designing of a system is based on analysis. The modules of the system and GUI are designed and the plate form is selected.

Testing: After the development of the system, it is tested multiple times to verify its functionality. Once the bugs are removed it is ready for the implementation.

Implementation: When the system is developed and tested then it is implemented. After implementation it is possible that there are some errors. In this case the development and testing step is repeated.