Software Life Cycle Models

Prototyping Model of Software Development

  

A prototype is a toy implementation of a system; usually exhibiting limited functional capabilities, low reliability, and inefficient performance.  There are several reasons for developing a prototype.  An important purpose is to illustrate the input data formats, messages, reports and the interactive dialogues to the customer. This a valuable mechanism for gaining better understanding of the customer’s needs. Another important use of the prototyping model is that it helps critically examine the technical issues associated with the product development.