Abstract

In complex software systems, reliability is the most important aspect of software quality, a multi-dimensional property including other factors like functionality, usability, performance, serviceability, capability, installability, maintainability, and documentation. Software reliability engineering is becoming a standard, widespread practice applicable to the different phases of the software development process. The first chapter of the survey provides an introduction to software measurement. Traditional and object-oriented software metrics are analyzed in detail, comprehensive study of some empirical work is also provided in order to validate the usefulness of the selected software metrics. An overview of software reliability is then introduced from the basic terminologies to the reasons for the need of software reliability. Following is the classification of the existing software reliability measures and measurement tools discussed in several chapters. Firstly, the procedure of software reliability measurement procedure along with a framework is addressed. Secondly, software reliability modeling is introduced in detail together with model classification schemes. Thirdly, the relationship between software reliability engineering and Software development process is outlined. Fourthly, we show a classification of current development tools with some usage information. In the final part of this survey, the research directions of software reliability engineering are explored