Overview
Measuring software size is an important element of successful software estimation. In this tutorial, we will learn common Software Size Measurement Methods.
Technical Measurement Method
This method measures the technical size of the product.
- LOC (Lines Of Code)
- KLOC( Kilo LOC)
- SLOC(Source LOC)
Lines of code is a popular, old and traditional measure of software size. This method is dependent on the programming language of the software product.
Functional Measurement Method
This method measures the functionality of the product.
- Function Points
Function points were first developed by Allan Albrecht of IBM as an independent approach to estimate the software development effort. The sizing based on Albrecht’s Function Points are enhanced by the IFPUG(International Function Points User Group ) IFPUG maintains the latest versions of the software sizing and counting practices.
Function Points are independent of the programming language.
Function points are the user’s perspective on software size. It measures software size in terms of what the end-user gets from the software product.
ISO standard:
ISO/IEC 20926:2009
Software and systems engineering — Software measurement — IFPUG functional size measurement method
More Information on IFPUG
ISO
https://www.iso.org/standard/51717.html