Function Points

Is used to express the amount of functionality in a software system, as seen by the user. A higher number of function points indicates more functionality. Typically used to:

• Estimate the cost and effort required to design, code and test a software system.

• Predict the number of errors

• Predict the number of components

• Measure productivity

  Function Points are computed from the Software Requirements Specification (SRS)

Advantages of function points

• Measure the size of the solution instead of the size of the problem

• Requirements are the only thing needed for function points count

• Can be estimated early in analysis and design

• Is independant of technology

• Is independant of programming languages

Disadvantages of function points

• A well defined requirements specification is necessary

• Gaining proficency is not easy, the learning curve is quite long

• Could be quite time-consuming this could be costly