A Rational Foundation for Software Metrology

Published

January 20, 2016

Author(s)

David W. Flater, Paul E. Black, Elizabeth N. Fong, Raghu N. Kacker, Vadim Okun, Stephen S. Wood, David R. Kuhn

Abstract

Much software research and practice involves ostensible measurements of software, yet little progress has been made on an SI-like metrological foundation for those measurements since the work of Gray, Hogan, et al. in 1996-2001. Given a physical object, one can determine physical properties using measurement principles and express measured values using standard quantities that have concrete realizations. In contrast, most software metrics are simple counts that are used as indicators of complex, abstract qualities. In this report we revisit software metrology from two directions: first, top down, to establish a theory of software measurement; second, bottom up, to identify specific purposes for which software measurements are needed, quantifiable properties of software, relevant units, and objects of measurement. Although there are structural obstacles to realizing the vision of software metrology that works like physical metrology for all desired measurands, progress is possible if we start with a rational foundation.

Citation

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 8101

Report Number

8101

NIST Pub Series

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.8101

Citation

Flater, D. , Black, P. , Fong, E. , Kacker, R. , Okun, V. , Wood, S. and Kuhn, D. (2016), A Rational Foundation for Software Metrology, NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.8101 (Accessed April 24, 2024)