Accession Number:

ADA101920

Title:

Analyzing a Syntactic Family of Complexity Metrics

Descriptive Note:

Technical rept.

Corporate Author:

MARYLAND UNIV COLLEGE PARK DEPT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE

Personal Author(s):

• Basili, Victor R.
• Hutchens, David H.

Report Date:

1981-05-01

Pagination or Media Count:

33.0

Abstract:

A family of syntactic complexity metrics which contains a number of current metrics is defined. The family is used as a basis for experimental analysis of metrics. Once the family has been implemented, several metrics may be readily formed and computed. This paper uses the family to compare a few simple syntactic metrics to each other. The study also indicates that individual differences have a large impact on the significance of results where many individuals are used. A metric for determining the relative skills of programmers at handling a given level of complexity is also suggested. The study uses the metrics to demonstrate differences between projects on which a methodology was used vs. those on which it was not.

Descriptors:

• *COMPUTER LOGIC
• *COMPUTER PROGRAMMING
• *MAN COMPUTER INTERFACE
• METHODOLOGY
• COST EFFECTIVENESS
• COST ANALYSIS
• PERFORMANCE(ENGINEERING)
• HUMAN FACTORS ENGINEERING
• RECURSIVE FUNCTIONS
• DATA REDUCTION
• STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Subject Categories:

• Statistics and Probability
• Computer Programming and Software
• Human Factors Engineering and Man Machine Systems

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE