Automating Output Size and Reuse Metrics in a Repository-Based Computer Aided Software Engineering (Case) Environment

Measurement of software development productivity is needed in order to control software costs, but it isdiscouragingly labor-intensive and expensive. Computer aided software engineering (CASE) technologies --especially repository-based, integrated CASE -- have the potential to support the automation of thismeasurement. In this paper, we discuss the development of automated analyzers for function point andsoftware reuse measurement for object-based CASE. Both analyzers take advantage of the existence of arepresentation of the application system that is stored within an object repository, and that contains thenecessary information about the application system. We also discuss metrics for software reusemeasurement, including reuse leverage, reuse value and reuse classification, that are motivated by managerialrequirements and the efforts, within industry and the IEEE, to standardize measurement. The functionalityand the analytical capabilities of state-of-the-art automated software metrics analyzers are illustrated in thecontext of an investment banking industry application, that is similar to systems deployed at the New YorkCity-based investment bank where these tools were developed and tested