Software development is the process of conceiving, specifying, designing, software design, detailing, analysis, and bug fixing involved in creating and maintaining applications, frameworks, or other software components.

Software development is a process of writing and maintaining the source code, but in a broader sense, it includes all that is involved between the conception of the desired software through to the final manifestation of the software, sometimes in a planned and structured processTherefore, software development may include research, new development, prototyping, modification, reuse, re-engineering, maintenance, or any other activities that result in software products

Software can be developed for a variety of purposes, the three most common being to meet specific needs of a specific client/business a perceived need of some set of potential users, or for personal.