What does 'prototyping' in software development entail?

Prototyping in software development involves creating an early model or version of a product to test concepts and gather user feedback. This approach allows developers to explore ideas, validate functionality, and make informed design decisions before investing significant resources in full-scale development. By engaging users with a prototype, teams can identify potential issues, understand user needs better, and adjust the product's direction based on real-world interactions and responses. This iterative process helps ensure that the final product is more aligned with user expectations and requirements, ultimately increasing the likelihood of success upon release.

The other options focus on different aspects of software development—such as building the final product immediately, which overlooks the iterative nature of prototyping; documenting software requirements, which is more about establishing guidelines rather than testing concepts; and implementing security features, which is a separate concern that arises during later stages of development rather than during the prototyping phase.