In the technology is a prototype (of griech. "“first"”) an executable and evaluatable version of a system or a system part (evolutionary prototype) or a tool, in order to evaluate selected characteristics of the later, operational system (explorativer or experimental prototype); a test model of a planned product fully functional for the respective purposes or construction unit for example already possesses a prototype in the KFZ industry all substantial characteristics of a future series vehicle. Prototypes do not have to consist necessarily of material objects - a prototype can be for example also a simple implementation of a software ("“alpha version"”) or a three-dimensional CAD model. This procedure is in the industry already for a long time usually, e.g. with building projects, with which models and plans of the building in ever larger yardstick and higher detailing, which can be provided, are provided, exactly the same with product developments where working models, laboratory models and prototypes before final production to stand. In the software development the prototyping is not more near defined. A set of executable models of the final product with increasing function range is developed and presented to the customer. It leads fast to first results and early feedback concerning the suitability of a solution.

Pro and cons

Advantages

• The requirements of the users can be constantly specified and verified. Thus the risk of an erroneous trend sinks.
• Unintentional reciprocal effects between individual components of the product can be in former times recognized.
• The completion degree is better verifiable.
• The quality assurance can be promptly merged.

Disadvantages

• Prototyping entices to raise nor document requirements cleanly neither correctly. The development process can slow down thereby substantially.

Kinds

Exploratives prototyping

• to the evaluation of certain problem solutions
• Concentration on functionalities of the system
• A goal is to be proven it that specifications or ideas are suited.

Evolutionary prototyping

• to the evolutionary software development
• gradual extension of functionality in accordance with feedback of the future users and/or the order giver
• Prototype is kept always executable and developed further up to product-ripe.

Experimental prototyping

• to research purposes and/or the search for possibilities for the realization
• with an experimental prototype a very extensive analysis of problems and system specification are accomplished
• won realizations can be used afterwards in a correct product

Rapidly prototyping

• Collection of experience

Vertical prototyping

• only some facts
• complete implementation

Horizontal prototyping

• whole functionality is represented
• only partly realizes

Example

A classical example is a surface prototype, which arranges a first impression of the user surface (usually graphic) and the program sequence for the later user of the software. The incremental development of a product in the initial phases can make promptly on problems in the Design attentive and let additional customer's requests into the requirements flow. Within the range project management can the results be used to estimate a software project regarding expenditure and costs.

See also

• Extreme Programming
• Agiler process
• Project management

Articles in category "Prototyping (software development)"

We found here 3 articles.

Related Websites

We found here 4 related websites.

• Firelily Designs - Prototyping and the Software Development Cycle
  Prototyping and the Software Development Cycle. by Diane Wilson, Thyra Rauch, and Joeann Paige. The following article is drawn from a number of sources at ...


• Software Prototyping and Requirements Engineering - Introduction
  This report includes the motivation for using software prototyping in general ... gains that can come from a prototyping approach to software development. ...


• Software Prototyping and Requirements Engineering - Software Systems
  Not to prototype at all should simply not be an option in software development. The benefits of software prototyping are elaborated in [Herndon88]. ...


• Software Tech News 2-1: Importance of Software Prototyping
  Modern software development demands the use of Rapid Application Prototyping. Professor Luqi at the Naval Postgraduate School coined the term "Computer ...