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Module 3: Software Design & Metrics

20237m

Discuss the software metric that can be applied to the qualitative assessment of software quality and side effects that occur during maintenance phase.

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Software Metric for Qualitative Assessment & Maintenance Side Effects

Qualitative Metrics (Subjective but measurable):

  • McCall Quality Factors (Functionality, Usability, etc.) via surveys/checklists
  • Maintainability Index (MI) = 171 - 5.2 ln(Halstead Volume) - 0.23 CC - 16.2 ln(LOC) → higher MI = easier to maintain

Maintenance Side Effects Metrics:

  • Stability - Ripple effect: Modules affected / Change size → Low stability means large ripple
  • Modularity metrics: Coupling/Cohesion before vs after maintenance
  • Defect metrics: Defects introduced per KLOC maintained (often 50% of maintenance is fixing side-effects)
  • Impact Analysis matrix: Trace change → affected requirements/design/code

Example: After adding feature, if CC increased from 10 to 25, MI drops → qualitative degradation flagged, indicating refactoring needed.

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