Which phase includes both software and hardware activities according to the Software Development Lifecycle?

The phase that encompasses both software and hardware activities in the Software Development Lifecycle is the stage known as Implementation. During this phase, the actual development of software takes place, which involves coding and integrating the software components. Additionally, hardware activities may also be included, particularly when installation, configuration, and deployment of the software on physical machines or devices are involved.

This phase serves as a critical transition point where the designs and specifications outlined in earlier phases are transformed into a functional system. Ensuring that both software and hardware components work together seamlessly is vital, making implementation a comprehensive phase of the lifecycle.

Other phases in the Software Development Lifecycle have distinct focuses; for instance, the design phase emphasizes planning and architecture rather than execution, while testing focuses on validating the software's functionality without necessarily involving hardware aspects. Maintenance primarily deals with updates and fixes after the software is deployed, again focusing more on the software itself.