Agile and Waterfall model are two different methods for software development process. Though they are different in their approach, both methods are useful at times, depending on the requirement and the type of the project.
Agile Model
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Agile method proposes incremental and iterative approach to software design.
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The agile process is broken into individual models that designers work on.
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The customer has early and frequent opportunities to look at the product and make decision and changes to the project
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Agile model is considered unstructured compared to the waterfall model
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Small projects can be implemented very quickly. For large projects, it is difficult to estimate the development time.
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Error can be fixed in the middle of the project.
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Development process is iterative, and the project is executed in short (2-4) weeks iterations. Planning is very less.
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Every iteration has its own testing phase. It allows implementing regression testing every time new functions or logic are released.
Waterfall Model
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Development of the software flows sequentially from start point to end point.
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The design process is not broken into an individual models
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The customer can only see the product at the end of the project
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Waterfall model are more secure because they are so plan oriented
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All sorts of project can be estimated and completed.
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Only at the end, the whole product is tested. If the requirement error is found or any changes have to be made, the project has to start from the beginning
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The development process is phased, and the phase is much bigger than iteration. Every phase ends with the detailed description of the next phase.
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Documentation attends less priority than software development
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Documentation is a top priority and can even use for training staff and upgrade the software with another team
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Only after the development phase, the testing phase is executed because separate parts are not fully functional.
