Prototype model also called sample prototype. Prototype model of main thinking:

Prototype model gain feedback from user by providing prototype to the user, so prototype model can let the developed software really reflecting requirement from user. At the same time, prototype model put to use gradually refinement of ways to perfect prototype, the way let prototype can “rapid” develop and avoid difficult to respond quickly to user feedback in a long process of development like waterfall prototype. Compared with the waterfall model, the prototype model is more coincident the habit of developing software to people, and it is a popular practical software lifetime model.

Characteristic:

Developer and user reach an agreement in “prototype”. Thus, it can reduce errors in designing and risk in developing, also can reduce train of time to user, and raise  practicability and validity of the system, and satisfaction of user.

Prototype model shorten development cycle and speed up the progress of the project.

Prototype also can reduce cost.

But prototype also has shortcoming, for example, when you tell your user, the product must again manufacture, the user is hard to accept. So, the shortcoming will bring adverse factors for projects continue to carry out.

Many user want the prototype quickly work, so they always use this approach in the process of finish.

We should not use the prototype system as finally product. User and developer must  reach an agreement in adopting prototype model development system, the reason why the prototype was built is because it just apply to define user’s requirement, the user can abandon all or part of prototype after using. When the finally software was developed, it must be considered quality and maintainability etc of software.