From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018) :
software life-cycle
life-cycle
The phases a software product goes through
between when it is conceived and when it is no longer
available for use. The software life-cycle typically includes
the following: requirements analysis, design,
construction, testing ({validation), installation, operation,
maintenance, and retirement.
The development process tends to run iteratively through these
phases rather than linearly; several models (spiral, waterfall
etc.) have been proposed to describe this process.
Other processes associated with a software product are:
quality assurance, marketing, sales and support.
(1996-12-27)