Function Point Analysis
Function Point Analysis
(programming)Functon points (FPs) can be used to estimate the relative sizeand complexity of software in the early stages of development- analysis and design. The size is determined by identifyingthe components of the system as seen by the end-user: theinputs, outputs, inquiries, interfaces to other systems, andlogical internal files. The components are classified assimple, average, or complex. All of these values are thenscored and the total is expressed in Unadjusted FPs (UFPs).Complexity factors described by 14 general systemscharacteristics, such as reusability, performance, andcomplexity of processing can be used to weight the UFP.Factors are also weighted on a scale of 0 - not present, 1 -minor influence, to 5 - strong influence. The result of thesecomputations is a number that correlates to system size.
Although the FP metric doesn't correspond to any actualphysical attribute of a software system (such as lines of code or the number of subroutines) it is useful as a relativemeasure for comparing projects, measuring productivity, andestimating the amount a development effort and time needed fora project.
See also International Function Point Users Group.