What does the term 'Maintenance' refer to in the SDLC?

The term 'Maintenance' in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) refers specifically to the activities undertaken after the software has been deployed and is in use. This phase is crucial as it focuses on addressing any bugs that were not caught during earlier phases, implementing updates to enhance functionality, and ensuring that the software continues to meet user needs over time.

During this phase, developers monitor the software's performance and gather user feedback, leading to necessary modifications and improvements. The goal of maintenance is to prolong the software's useful life, adapt it to new requirements, and fix any issues that arise post-deployment, thus ensuring user satisfaction and software reliability.

In contrast, the other options refer to different stages of the SDLC that occur before or instead of the maintenance phase. The initial development processes are focused on creating the software, final testing involves ensuring that the software is ready for release, and documentation and training sessions are preparatory activities that aim to equip users with the knowledge to effectively use the software. Each of these is important, but they do not encompass the ongoing support and enhancements that define the maintenance stage.