Generative AI in the Software Development Life Cycle

Integrating artificial intelligence into software development is no longer a futuristic concept—it is a core developer skill. This written course introduces you to the foundational concepts of Generative AI and shows you how to leverage these tools across the entire Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). You will move from understanding basic large language models (LLMs) to applying practical prompt engineering techniques that assist with requirements gathering, UI design, code generation, debugging, and testing. By reading through clear, step-by-step explanations and structured code examples, you will learn how to safely and effectively collaborate with AI tools. What you'll learn: 1. Understand the core concepts of Generative AI, LLMs, and their role in modern software development. 2. Apply foundational prompt engineering techniques to generate clean, functional code and design layouts. 3. Debug Python code and identify logical errors using structured AI-assisted troubleshooting strategies. 4. Integrate AI tools into various SDLC phases, from initial planning to automated code reviews and testing. 5. Address critical security, privacy, and ethical considerations when using AI assistants in development workflows. 6. Build a structured plan for a software application using AI-guided architectural and design patterns. The course begins with essential terminology and foundational concepts of LLMs before guiding you through practical, text-based scenarios for code generation, debugging, and design. You will explore real-world development workflows, learning how to write effective prompts and review AI-generated output for accuracy and security. This course is designed for beginner developers, software engineering students, and project managers who want to understand how Generative AI is transforming software creation. No prior experience with AI or machine learning is required, though a basic familiarity with programming concepts is helpful. Start reading today to master the essential AI skills that are shaping the future of software development.