Function point estimation - Part I

Hi Gurus,
In this part we are gonna cover what is FunctionPoint estimation and what are the components used for this.

As we know that Software Estimation is like weighing our software application, here we are gonna estimate our application Function Points. Function point measures software by quantifying the functionality of the software provides to the user based primarily on the logical design. Quantifying is a method that expresses some value as a number or measure or quantity.

Function points are a unit measure for software application like a meter is to measuring distance, grams are to measuring weight.

FP uses a logical approachto define a system. A logical boundaryexists in between a system and the existing environment. A boundary when defined encapsulates similar type of attributes which then helps defining a set of components. Each component gets a kind of logical weightwhich in turnhelps calculate FP.

The following are the five important components of Function Point estimation:
•External Inputs
•External Outputs
•External Inquiries
•Internal Logical Files (ILF)
•External Interface Files (EIF)

We will see about these components in our next part.