Design Complexity for Objective Function Points

Abstract

This paper investigates correlating the basic elements of Unified Modeling Language and Cyclomatic Complexity with Function Point Analysis (FPA) principles to develop an automated software functional sizing tool. This concept has been difficult to achieve due to the logical nature of the FPA sizing methodology versus the physical nature of source lines of code (SLOC). In this approach, we examine software complexity from design and maintainability perspectives in order to understand relationships in physical code. Our hypothesis is that this method will “simulate” FPA principles and produce an objective sizing method. This would provide the foundation for an automated tool that scans physical software code to derive “Objective Function Points”(OFPs) functional size measure.