How to Build a Software from Scratch: The Guide for a Beginner

When the idea of creating a program has arisen in your head, you may begin to think that it is difficult or impossible. However, your idea can change the world for the better and generate income for you. Then why not find out the ways in which you can bring your vision to life?

Statista says that by 2021 the Custom software development market is about $ 507.2 billion. Building applications or programs from scratch can be challenging. However, when you know where to start and what steps to proceed with, you can find a way to make it simple.

First of all, create a to-do list for yourself.

If you just get involved in the process and start making everything point by point, the chances are that you are just missing something important. Be sure to write a checklist or plan for what you need to do step by step. It will help you prioritize the task you need to complete first.

Use this list to write and implement your codes; it will guide you through creating application functions step by step. Before moving on to the next feature, you need to make sure that you are working on both the application’s back-end and the front-end. And, of course, take into account the moments when you will assign tasks to others.

There are four steps you need to take to implement any project.

Prototype
Plan
Execute
Deliver

1. Prototype

The first thing you should do is think through the details of your project. It’s good if you can draw it or create a diagram. Create a picture so that you can easily imagine how the application or program will look and function.

This stage is quite important – it is at this stage, you can assess the prospects of the project and think whether it is worth continuing further. Perhaps you will come across something that you didn’t know about. Or think about new details.

If you evaluate and decide to move forward, the next step is extensive planning.

2. Planning

Forbes writes that while this is the least enjoyable part of the job, having a well-planned infrastructure will save much work in the future. And life confirms this: many projects were never implemented or lost their way when they did not have clear enough planning.

Whether you work alone or in a team, careful planning is essential.

3. Execute

After careful planning, thanks to which you will understand how everything will happen, you move on to the most active part – the creation of your project. You choose a team or hire a software development company, for example, MLSdev, and start developing the program.

Regardless of what language and framework your program will be written in, there are basic methods that you can use to support the code. For example, it is convenient to control versions in Git and manage projects in GitHub. Use minimal interfaces whenever possible. Comments above each function with description, parameters, and return values. Always make sure that every critical function has an error state and do a complete testing.

It’s good when you apply these steps, even on a small project. After all, this way you will accustom yourself to developing a quality product and cope with even a large project in the future.

4. Deliver

Your final step is the delivery of the final product. For application development, this is as important as any other part of the process. When you publish an app to any app store or launch a website, it becomes your ad and selling point. From that moment on, your product will find its users and customers.

Make sure you have an excellent badge, a good name, and a good description. The description is often overlooked, but it is still a significant step. Describe your product briefly and clearly enough to understand what benefits they will get from using it.

To Sum Things Up

A lot of people and creative representatives today are trying to create something of their own. There are a lot of new technologies in the world now and people who want to develop them. If you thought that you could not cope with such a task as creating a program or application from scratch, I hope that you will have more confidence and desire to get down to business after this article.

Author’s bio: Anastasiia Lastovetska is a technology writer at MLSDev, a software development company that builds web & mobile app solutions from scratch. She researches the area of technology to create great content about app development, UX/UI design, tech & business consulting.