What is Prototype Model?
The Prototyping Model is one of the mostly used Software Development Life Cycle Models (SDLC models).
This model is used when the customers not clear about the requirements of product or what to do.
Here, we give the opportunity to the customer to see the product early in the life cycle by implement the application partially during the analysis phase.
Here, a prototype is developed, test, and then reworked when required until an satisfactory prototype is achieved and approved by customer.
The prototype does not always hold the exact logic used in the actual software application.
This Model works based on the customer requirements.
This Prototype Model is same as waterfall model.
A little difference between waterfall-model and prototype-model is we need customer interaction to develop prototype model.
It ensures that the customer constantly work with the system and provide a feedback.
It is a software model with limited functionality.
Phases for Prototype Model
Requirements gathering and analysis
Design Stage
Build a Prototype
Initial user evaluation
Development
Maintance and deliver
Advantages of Prototype Model
Customer satisfaction exists, because customer can feel the product at very early stage.
Requirement changes can be handle easily.
The developed prototype can be reused by developer.
Because of customers involvment so every difficult functioning can easily handle.
Missing functionality can be identified easily.
There will be less chance of software rejection.
This prototype flexible in designing.
Customer involvement helps to reduce the risk of failure.
Disadvantages of Prototype Model
It is a time taken if changes in requirements happens in prototype.
It can increase the system complexity.
This is very slow model to develop.
There may be far too many variations in software requirements when each time the prototype is evaluated by the customer.
This model can be costly.
Incomplete application may cause application not to be used .