Prototype

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What Does Prototype Mean?

A prototype is an original model, form or an instance that serves as a basis for other processes. In software technology, the term prototype is a working example through which a new model or a new version of an existing product can be derived.

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Techopedia Explains Prototype

A prototype is an example that serves as a basis for future models. Prototyping gives designers an opportunity to research new alternatives and test the existing design to confirm a product’s functionality prior to production.

A prototype has many benefits, such as the developer and the implementer getting valuable feedback from the user even before the actual project is started. The actual process of creating prototype involves the following steps:

  • Identify Basic Requirements: Basic requirements are determined, including input and output data needed.
  • Initial Prototype Creation: The initial prototype is created.
  • Review: The clients and the end-users verify the prototype and provide valuable feedback on additions or deletions. Also necessary changes are made to the final product.
  • Revise and Improve the Prototype: Using the feedback from the client and end user, both the specifications and the prototype can be changed accordingly and improved. If changes are incorporated, a repeat of steps #3 and #4 may be required.
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Margaret Rouse
Technology expert
Margaret Rouse
Technology expert

Margaret is an award-winning writer and educator known for her ability to explain complex technical topics to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles in the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret’s idea of ​​a fun day is to help IT and business professionals to learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.