Use of selected software complexity measures in introductory programming courses

Author

Susan Denise Welsby

Abstract

"One of the most significant elements to evolve from software science research has been the development of complexity metrics which attempt to quantitatively measure the complexity of various software structures within the total scope of the software development cycle. There exist complexity metrics to measure aspects such as project resources and cost, design implementations, program control flow, program data structure usage, system reliability and correctness. The vast majority of users of complexity metrics are industrially employed; this work explores the utility of complexity metrics to the novice programmer. Several complexity measures which focus on program size, vocabulary, and control flow are presented here. A computerized experimental system was developed to implement selected complexity measures as an analysis tool for both students and instructors in the introductory BASIC-PLUS programming course. The tool provides students with immediate feedback on the simplicity of a solution program. The system also augments the instructor's facility to perform an appraisal of solution quality, exposing some of the criteria used to effect this assessment"--Abstract, page ii.

Advisor(s)

Metzner, John R.

Committee Member(s)

Prater, John Bruce, 1932-2002
Patel, J.

Department(s)

Computer Science

Degree Name

M.S. in Computer Science

Publisher

University of Missouri--Rolla

Publication Date

1984

Pagination

viii, 112 pages

Rights

© 1984 Sister Susan Denise Welsby, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Citation

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Computational complexity
Computer-assisted instruction -- Design
Educational technology -- Design
Computer software -- Evaluation

Thesis Number

T 5115

Print OCLC #

11299479

Link to Catalog Record

Full-text not available: Request this publication directly from Missouri S&T Library or contact your local library.

Recommended Citation

Welsby, Susan Denise, "Use of selected software complexity measures in introductory programming courses" (1984). Masters Theses. 4546.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/masters_theses/4546