Software metrics

  • Authors:
  • Patricia B. van Verth

  • Affiliations:
  • -

  • Venue:
  • Encyclopedia of Computer Science
  • Year:
  • 2003

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Abstract

Software metrics are units of measurement of software. Software includes both the product (programs, documentation, reports) and the process by which the product is developed (the software life cycle phases of specification, design, implementation, testing, and maintenance). Software metrics make it possible for software to be compared, evaluated, and analyzed quantitatively. Example software metrics and related measures are program size (source lines of code), efficiency (execution time), reliability (mean time to failure), and programmer experience (years of programming in a particular language). Metrics and measures form the basis for numerous models of the software development process.