Which phase is NOT part of the Software Development Cycle?

The software development cycle, often referred to as the software development life cycle (SDLC), encompasses several key phases that guide the creation and maintenance of software projects. These phases include requirements gathering, design, coding (or implementation), testing, deployment, and maintenance.

The correct answer is based on recognizing that coding, while a critical activity within the broader implementation phase, is not typically labeled as a standalone phase in the SDLC. Instead, coding is part of the implementation phase, where developers write the actual code based on the designs and specifications defined earlier in the cycle. This distinction clarifies that development encompasses several tasks, including coding, but represents only one aspect of the overall implementation.

Understanding these phases helps to appreciate the structure of software projects and the sequential activities required to bring software from conception to delivery and beyond. By realizing that coding is an essential component of the implementation phase rather than a separate phase itself, one can better understand the intertwined nature of these development activities.