Software Engineering Metrics: Measures and Validations v. 1

This work argues that software metrics, or software measurement, is potentially one of the most crucial aspects of the software engineering discipline. Without measurement you cannot compare the effectiveness of differing methods, tools, techniques and design, nor understand the complex processes that make up a software project. Indeed, without measurement it is hard to tell where an organization is, let alone where it is heading. the work charts the history of the field, recording both the successes and the failures, and describes research and its application in overcoming problems. It goes on to consider the future of software metrics.