Measurement and Experimentation in Software Engineering.

Abstract

The contributions of measurement and experimentation to the state-of-the-art in software engineering are reviewed. The role of measurement in developing theoretical models is discussed, and concerns for reliability and validity are stressed. Current approaches to measuring software characteristics are presented as examples. In particular, software complexity metrics related to control flow, module interconnectedness, and Halstead's Software Science are critiqued. The use of experimental methods in evaluating cause effect relationships is also discussed. Example programs of experimental research which investigated conditional statements and control flow are reviewed. The conclusion argues that advances in software engineering will be related to improvements in the measurement and experimental evaluation of software techniques and practices. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 30, 1980
Accession Number
ADA085827

Entities

People

  • Bill Curtis

Organizations

  • General Electric

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Algorithms
  • Applied Psychology
  • Cognition
  • Computer Programming
  • Engineering
  • Human Factors Engineering
  • Information Systems
  • Maintenance
  • Mathematical Analysis
  • Military Research
  • Psychology
  • Reliability
  • Software Development
  • Software Metrics
  • Standards
  • Structured Programming
  • Systems Engineering

Fields of Study

  • Computer science
  • Engineering

Readers

  • Software Engineering.
  • Theoretical Analysis.