Analyzing a Syntactic Family of Complexity Metrics

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.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1981
Accession Number
ADA101920

Entities

People

  • David H. Hutchens
  • Victor Basili

Organizations

  • University of Maryland

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Classification
  • Coefficients
  • Compilers
  • Computer Languages
  • Computer Programming
  • Computer Programs
  • Computer Science
  • Computers
  • Engineering
  • Language
  • Nonparametric Statistics
  • Regression Analysis
  • Software Development
  • Software Metrics
  • Statistics
  • Structured Programming
  • Universities

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Computational Linguistics
  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Care for Military Service Members and Veterans with Limb Loss or Disability.