CSE 8314 (Fall 2017): Software Metrics and Quality Engineering
Prof. Jeff Tian, CSE Dept., SMU, Dallas, TX 75275
Phone: (214)768-2861; Fax: (214)768-3085
tian@lyle.smu.edu; lyle.smu.edu/~tian/class/8314.17f
1. General Information
One fundamental characteristics of a objective and mature
discipline of study is the rigorous measurement used in
characterizing the objects of the discipline and their behavior.
Software engineering is in the transition phase from
a subjective or "soft" discipline,
such as humanities, arts, and initial phases of a new
scientific or engineering field,
to an objective and "hard" (or "solid") one,
such as natural sciences and (traditional) engineering.
This advanced course will cover important measurement aspects
as related to software systems as the objects of our study.
We will take a balanced approach,
covering basic ("classical") material such as
foundations in measurement theory and
many well established software metrics
that have been around for decades,
with an additional focus on recent research and applications
in the subject area that may have a great practical impact and
that may lead to subsequent innovative research.
CSE 8314 will be organized as a combined lecture for the basics
and research seminar for advanced topics,
with active student participation.
This participatory nature is reflected in all the course elements,
ranging from discussions/presentations related to
student homework/project
to specific topics to be studied in our class.
2. Course Contents
We will have in-depth discussions about several important
topics concerning software measurement.
The major focus will be on five areas:
-
Foundations and Frameworks:
We will focus on the GQM (Goals/Questions/Metrics)
paradigm as the guiding framework for our class.
Related topics will also be discussed,
such as QIP (quality improvement paradigm),
EF (experience factory),
other measurement frameworks
(particularly internal vs external measurement).
In addition,
some basic concept from measurement theory
as well as measurement in other disciplines will be reviewed.
A metrics classification framework will also be discussed.
-
External Software Metrics:
We will focus on (external) quality metrics,
such as reliability, usability, safety, dependability, security, etc.,
but will also cover other metrics,
such as cost/effort, time/schedule, productivity, etc.
This category typically involves the surrounding environment of
a software product and its development process.
-
Internal Software Metrics:
This is typically the "core" of a "software metrics" class.
This category is typically uniquely determined by the objects
of our study themselves, but not dependent on the surrounding environment.
Most of the so-called "complexity" metrics,
including metrics on structural complexity, information contents, etc.,
and size metrics will be covered here.
-
Metrics Evaluation, Selection and Validation:
The research community has paid particular attention to the metrics
evaluation, selection and validation questions.
In particular, some formal models
based on comparing and analyzing multiple metrics over
multiple measurement space/dimensions
have been developed and applied,
which will receive detailed coverage in our class.
-
Other Advanced Topics:
Recent research in relevant areas will also be discussed,
including the role of metrics in software experiments and empirical
software engineering,
formal hypothesis testing base on measurement data,
data mining of software engineering project repository, etc.
We will also discuss
new applications in cloud computing,
web-based, embedded, service-oriented, and net-centric software systems.
3. Textbooks and Class Material
4. Workload and Grading
The course grade each student receives will reflect the weighted
average of homework, a major project, a comprehensive exam,
and other assignments:
- Project:
See the online project information for more details.
- Homework: 3 homework assignments.
- Student participation/presentation:
Active participation in class,
with an optional individual study presentation related to a homework assignment
(most likely hw#3).
- (Midterm) Exam:
There will be a comprehensive exam to cover
the breadth of the students' knowledge
in software metrics
(as the students' depth of knowledge is demonstrated in their projects already).
The approximate weight assignment is as follows:
-
Project (primarily graded based on project report): 40%
-
Comprehensive (midterm) exam: 30%
-
Homework: 15%
-
Presentation/participation: 15%
No late assignments will be accepted nor graded
unless prior approval was granted by the instructor
or a valid (acceptable to the instructor) reason is
given in case of an emergency.
Relevant SMU Policies
* Disability Accommodations:
Students needing academic
accommodations for a disability must first register with Disability
Accommodations & Success Strategies (DASS). Students can call
214-768-1470 or visit http://www.smu.edu/Provost/ALEC/DASS to
begin the process. Once registered, students should then schedule an
appointment with the professor as early in the semester as possible,
present a DASS Accommodation Letter, and make appropriate
arrangements. Please note that accommodations are not
retroactive and require advance notice to implement.
* Religious Observance:
Religiously observant students wishing to be absent on holidays
that require missing class should notify their professors in
writing at the beginning of the semester,
and should discuss with them, in advance,
acceptable ways of making up any work missed because of the absence.
(See University Policy No. 1.9.)
* Excused Absences for University Extracurricular Activities:
Students participating in an officially sanctioned,
scheduled University extracurricular activity should be given
the opportunity to make up class assignments or other graded
assignments missed as a result of their participation.
It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements
with the instructor prior to any missed scheduled examination
or other missed assignment for making up the work.
(University Undergraduate Catalogue)
Prepared by Jeff Tian
(tian@lyle.smu.edu).
Posted: Aug. 22, 2017.
Last update: Aug. 22, 2017.