Computer software quality measurements and metrics

Abstract

Currently, an increasing number of researchers and organizations are recognizing the importance of software quality and the significance of characterizing and dealing explicitly with software quality attributes by addressing the establishment of quality measures and metrics. A software metric is an objective mathematical measure of software that is sensitive to differences in software characteristics. It provides a quantitative measure of an attribute which the body of software exhibits. There is general recognition of the fact that absence of metrics leads to lack of control over software systems and finally to failure. This paper investigates and analyzes quality measures, controls and metrics in various phases of software development and puts forward information about the state-of-the-art and the state-of-the-practice in computer software quality measurements.