Rapid Application Development Model (RAD)

RAD is a linear sequential software developmentinformation flow necessary to implement a business
process model that emphasis an extremely shortfunction. Processing descriptions are created for
development cycle using a component basedadding, modifying, deleting or retrieving a data object.
construction approach. If the requirements are well4. Application Generation: Automated tools are used to
understood and defines, and the project scope isfacilitate construction of the software; even they use
constraint, the RAD process enables a developmentthe 4th GL techniques.
team to create a fully functional system with in very5. Testing and Turn over: Many of the programming
short time period.components have already been tested since RAD
RAD model has the following phases:emphasis reuse. This reduces overall testing time. But
new components must be tested and all interfaces
1. Business Modeling: The information flow amongmust be fully exercised.
business functions is defined by answering questionsWhat are the advantages and disadvantages of
like what information drives the business process, whatRAD?
information is generated, who generates it, where doesRAD reduces the development time and reusability of
the information go, who process it and so on.components help to speed up development. All
2. Data Modeling: The information collected fromfunctions are modularized so it is easy to work with.
business modeling is refined into a set of data objectsFor large projects RAD require highly skilled engineers
(entities) that are needed to support the business. Thein the team. Both end customer and developer should
attributes (character of each entity) are identified andbe committed to complete the system in a much
the relation between these data objects (entities) isabbreviated time frame. If commitment is lacking RAD
defined.will fail. RAD is based on Object Oriented approach
3. Process Modeling: The data object defined in theand if it is difficult to modularize the project the RAD
data modeling phase are transformed to achieve themay not work well.