Final answer:
The Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a structured methodology used in software development to guide the design and implementation of an information system. It follows a sequential process but may involve iterations and revisions. The spiral design process within the SDLC allows for improvements but requires additional time and resources.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a structured methodology used in software development to guide the design and implementation of an information system. It consists of several phases that include identifying a problem or need, defining requirements and constraints, generating ideas, evaluating possible solutions, designing and building a prototype, testing and evaluating the prototype, and communicating the results. The SDLC follows a sequential process, but in real-life situations, it may involve iterations and revisions.
An advantage of using a spiral design process within the SDLC is that it allows for improvements and refinements to be made in each iteration, resulting in a better end design. However, this process also requires additional time and resources for each loop, which can impact the project's timeline and budget.