The biological process whose specific outcome is the progression of the hard palate from an initial condition to its mature state. This process begins with the formation of the structure and ends with the mature structure, whatever form that may be including its natural destruction. The hard palate is the anterior portion of the palate consisting of bone and mucous membranes. [ GOC:dph http://openisbn.com/search.php?q=0721662544&isbn=1/ ]