Rapid application
development (RAD), is a software
development process developed initially by James Martin
in the 1980s. The methodology involves iterative development,
the construction of prototypes, and the use of Computer-aided
software engineering (CASE) tools. Traditionally the rapid
application development approach involves compromises in
usability, features, and/or execution speed. It is described
as a process through which the development cycle of an
application is expedited. Rapid Application
Development thus enables quality products to be
developed faster, saving valuable resources.
Positive aspects of RAD:
-
Increased speed of development through methods
including rapid prototyping, virtualization of system
related routines, the use of CASE tools, and other
techniques.
-
Decreased end-user functioality (arising from narrower
design focus), hence reduced complexity
-
Larger emphasis on simplicity and usability of GUI
design
Negative aspects of RAD:
-
Reduced Scalability, and reduced features when a RAD
developed application starts as a prototype and evolves
into a finished application
-
Reduced features occur due to time boxing when features
are pushed to later versions in order to finish a
release in a short amount of time
RAD development is applicable
only when the application to be developed can call on the
modular nature of the frameworks used to create it. High
availability and performance software aare not usually
created using RAD, and neither are mission critical
sysems.