Measurement in Software Engineering: From the Roadmap to the Crossroads

Abstract

Research on software measurement can be organized around five key conceptual and methodological issues: how to apply measurement theory to software, how to frame software metrics, how to develop metrics, how to collect core measures, and how to analyze measures. The subject is of special concern for the industry, which is interested in improving practices — mainly in developing countries, where the software industry represents an opportunity for growth and usually receives institutional support for matching international quality standards. Academics are also in need of understanding and developing more effective methods for managing the software process and assessing the success of products and services, as a result of an enhanced awareness about the emergency of aligning business processes and information systems. This paper unveils the fundamentals of measurement in software engineering and discusses current issues and foreseeable trends for the subject. A literature review was performed within major academic publications in the last decade, and findings suggest a sensible shift of measurement interests towards managing the software process as a whole — without losing from sight the customary focus on hard issues like algorithm efficiency and worker productivity.

Software Architecture Quality Measurement Stability and Understandability

“…In software engineering, there is still a lack in that discipline. We still need to work in consolidating terminology, principles and methods of software measurement [13]. Software measurement activities consist of direct and indirect assessments, as well as predictions [13], [14].…”

“…We still need to work in consolidating terminology, principles and methods of software measurement [13]. Software measurement activities consist of direct and indirect assessments, as well as predictions [13], [14]. Measurement allows us to understand the current situation and to come up with clear benchmarks that are useful to set goals for the future behavior.…”

“…Software metrics constitute the main approach to software measurement [13], [18], [19]. Software metrics and quality are major players in measurement of software quality.…”

“…Software metrics and quality are major players in measurement of software quality. Measuring software artifacts should focus on selecting the right metrics for each software and on how to apply them [13].…”

studio del Comportamiento Dinámico del Diseño de Sistemas de Información basado en Redes Complejas

“…Los aspectos técnicos del desarrollo de software, en cambio, son evaluados mediante las métricas de producto, las cuales permiten estudiar los atributos, tanto internos como externos, del software [13].…”