File(s) not publicly available
Spatial Complexity Metrics: An Investigation of Utility
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 10:16 authored by N E Gold, A M Mohan, P J LayzellNo description supplied
History
Publication status
- Published
Journal
IEEE Transactions on Software EngineeringISSN
0098-5589External DOI
Issue
3Volume
31Page range
203-212Pages
9.0Department affiliated with
- Informatics Publications
Notes
Originality: Spatial complexity metrics (including ones developed by Douce/Layzell) claim benefits over conventional lines of code methods. This work evaluates this claim and adds substantially to the body of empirical evidence on the effectiveness of complexity metrics. Originality derives from the application of theoretical measures to a live, mature software system. Rigour: The work is based upon an empirical study employing a highly evolved, large commercial software system. Two hypotheses are tested using statistical techniques to establish the plausibility of spatial metrics and advantages of complexity metrics. Significance: Analysis shows spatial complexity metrics are plausible and provide behaviour consistent with established laws of software evolution, thus establishing their credibility. The work also shows that spatial complexity largely does not provide metrics which are superior to lines of code, with the exception of the Douce/Layzell metric which provides some greater benefit. The work is also significant in adding a credible case study to the body of empirical software research knowledge. Impact: Further work is being undertaken at King's College London on metrics for program comprehension.Full text available
- No
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2012-02-07Usage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedKeywords
Licence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC