CSE 8314 (Fall 2019): 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/8314.19f
1. General Information
One fundamental characteristics of a mature (and "solid")
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 as the objects of our study.
We will take a balanced approach,
covering basic (classical, foundational or core) material such as
foundations in measurement theory and
many well-known and 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),
measurement frameworks
based on both external or customer/user's perspectives
and internal or developer's perspectives.
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 external to the software,
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, data and 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,
modeling with software metrics data,
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/SASP/DASS to begin the process.
Once approved and registered,
students will submit a DASS Accommodation Letter to faculty
through the electronic portal DASS Link and then communicate
directly with each instructor to 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 (https://www.smu.edu/StudentAffairs/Chaplain/ReligiousHolidays).
* 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.
(See 2018-2019 University Undergraduate Catalogue)
* Student Academic Success Programs:
Students needing assistance with writing assignments for SMU courses
may schedule an appointment with the Writing Center through Canvas.
Students wishing support with subject-specific tutoring or success
strategies should contact SASP, Loyd All Sports Center, Suite 202;
214-768-3648; https://www.smu.edu/sasp.
Prepared by Jeff Tian
(tian@lyle.smu.edu).
Posted: Aug. 28, 2019.
Last update: Aug. 28, 2019.