Software Complexity Metrics: How To Streamline Your Slopes
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Software complexity can be daunting and intimidating, just like the intimidating slopes of a ski resort. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the tangled web of code that we sometimes create, much like being left standing at the top of a double black diamond run with no idea which way to turn.
However, understanding how to measure complexity and how to deal with it can help guide you down the mountain on a successful and safe journey.
Just as an experienced skier knows which route will keep them on track while avoiding dangerous terrain, software engineers must know how to easily navigate through software complexity metrics. Ideally, you will be able to carve out a path that even first-time skiers can glide through with ease.
What is Software Complexity?
Software complexity is a measure of the structural elements and relationships between them in a software system.
As Abelson and Sussman state, "programs must be written for people to read, and only incidentally for machines to execute."
Having an understanding of the complexity that is possible within code allows developers to avoid it, making the trail down the mountain easier to maintain and follow should a new team member come along.
There are three different types of complexities to be aware of.
Essential Complexity – every system will have a certain degree of complexity. There’s nothing that can be done to reduce this, which is ok - as long as the complexity is recognized and appreciated.
Incidental Complexity – sometimes external factors will lead to extra complexity, such as hardware or software limitations.
Accidental Complexity – this is the type of complexity you want to watch out for. It can be avoided with planning and precision.
The biggest issue when creating code is accidental complexity. Whenever possible, developers should be able to pinpoint and deal with this form when it appears.
Benefits of Software Complexity Analysis
Software complexity analysis is an important step in software development. It helps to identify the structure of the code and can help reduce accidental complexity, making sure that developers aren’t creating unnecessarily complex systems.
A well-structured system will be easier for new team members to understand and maintain. It also reduces risk, as any change within a complex system might cause unexpected issues.
Here are a few other benefits that analyzing your software complexity provides.
Communication
Analyzing software complexity can help developers better collaborate and communicate with each other and other team members.
When the structure of a system is fully understood, it’s easier to break down tasks and assign the right people to them. It also helps identify any potential bottlenecks in the system which could be addressed quickly.
Having a central location for information to be shared is vital. Stormboard includes dozens of integrations that allow everyone on the team to see what’s happening.
Getting another set of eyes on code can help pinpoint complexity before it becomes an issue because people can tell you when something in your code doesn’t make sense. In a Storm, your team can comment directly on any issues they see — and make an action plan on how to avoid or deal with them.
Easier Maintenance
If you want to reduce the amount of maintenance needed to keep a system running, you must watch your software's complexity.
When code is easy to understand and navigate, it’s easier for developers to identify issues and make any necessary changes quickly. This can save time and money in the long run.
Code Quality
Nobody wants to work on a system that’s full of bugs and issues. By regularly analyzing your software complexity, you can help ensure that any new code is up to scratch.
When people can quickly understand and identify issues in the code, you’ll spend way less time debugging, and help provide quality code for end users.
Improved Productivity
Software complexity analysis can also help boost productivity. By understanding the structure of a system, developers can work more efficiently and make changes quickly.
When you’re working on a time crunch or within a specific budget, this ease is invaluable.
Security
When your code is overly complex, you open yourself up to security issues. Studies have found that increased complexity is directly linked to security breaches, which puts your company and your customers at risk.
Streamlined code is easier to monitor, and therefore easier to protect.
Challenges of Managing Software Complexity
Software complexity can quickly become unmanageable if developers aren’t careful. It’s important that software architects and developers take the time to plan out a system before they start coding, as it will be much harder to refactor after the fact.
When code is tested regularly for complex issues, and maintainers have an understanding of the overall structure of the codebase, you can avoid introducing new accidental complexities into your systems.
In order to combat complexity and facilitate a smooth ride down the hill, managers can use tools such as static code analysis and automated testing to ensure that the system is correctly structured and functioning as designed.
Having a way to consistently collaborate, and a plan to follow, is also important. Make sure your team understands your Software Development Lifecycle (SDL) and how it fits into your Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) Strategy.
Again, Stormboard is a great tool for this. When your team has constant asynchronous access to the plan, they understand what is required of the software and can stay focused on preventing undue complexity.
Measuring Software Complexity
In order to better manage their code, software developers use metrics to measure the complexity of a system. These metrics are designed to quantify different aspects of a system and can be used to determine if changes need to be made in order for it to become more streamlined.
Common metrics include:
Cyclomatic Complexity - The number of paths that are possible in a system. A high cyclomatic complexity means there are too many paths, making it hard to understand and maintain.
Halstead Metrics - The volume and difficulty of understanding a system’s codebase. Ideally, new software developers should be able to jump in and understand your code with ease.
Maintainability Index - How easy or difficult it is to maintain a system. If the index is high, then it means that the system will require more time and effort in order to be maintained properly.
Object-Oriented Design Metrics - The complexity of a system’s object-oriented design. Having too many layers, or not enough, will result in a system that is hard to manage.
Chapin Metric (Data Complexity) -The amount of code that is required to implement a feature. In order to keep your code understandable and maintainable, it’s helpful to write as little code as possible to execute a task.
Using these metrics and others, software developers can quantify how complex a system is and make changes accordingly in order to better manage its complexity. By doing so, they can ensure that their systems are easy to maintain, understand and use.
The Bottom Line
When skiing down a mountain, you want to take the most efficient route that fits your needs but also has minimal obstacles or hazards. You'll have to navigate around rocks, trees, and other natural elements along the way.
It's important to be aware of those potential risks ahead of time to ensure you don't end up going down a path that will cause you harm. These risks can throw off your balance if not handled correctly, just like unexpected complexities within code that may cause errors if not written properly.
Understanding how to monitor your software complexity helps the entire team stay connected, efficient, and on budget. With an understanding of the metrics available and a constant collaborative spirit, you’ll be sailing down the slopes to success in no time.
Stormboard is used by development teams across various industries worldwide from everything from planning through release to maintenance & management and retrospectives.
Get in touch with one of our experts today to learn more about how other development teams are making their processes more efficient and repeatable with a full integrated data-first collaboration workspace.
About the author:
A programmer by trade, Nick Saraev is a freelance writer and entrepreneur with a penchant for helping people excel in their careers. He's been featured on Popular Mechanics & Apple News, and has founded several successful companies in e-commerce, marketing, and artificial intelligence. When he's not working on his latest project, you can find him hiking or painting.
