HELP PAGE

1. Rules

2. Links

3. Reference

1. Rules   (Top) :

There are four steps that the user needs to follow, which are:

- Step 1: The user should fill the Information Domain table in which he/she can get the Count Total (CT) which will be used in the FP equation. The Information Domain are defined in the following manner:

Number of user inputs : Each user input that provides distinct application-oriented data to the software is counted. Inputs should be distinguished from inquiries, which are counted separately.

Number of user outputs : Each user output that provides application-oriented information to the user is counted. In tis context output refers to reports, screens, error messages, and so on. Individual data items within a report are not counted.

Number of user inquiries : An inquiry is defined as an on-line input that results in the generation of some immediate software response in the form of an on-line output. Each distinct inquiry is counted.

Number of files : Each logical master file (i.e., a logical grouping of data that may be one part of a large database or a separatefile), is counted.

Number of external interfaces: All machine readable interfaces (e.g., data files on tape or disk) that are used to transmit information to another system are counted.

Once the above data have been collected, a complexity value is associated with each count. Once all the information are entered, the Count Total (CT) is calculated.

- Step 2: The end user should calculate the "Complexity Adjustment Values" (Fi where i = 1 to 14). The user will give a value between 0 to 5. Once Step 1 and Step 2 are calculated, then the end user can calculated the Function Points (FP) which is:          FP = CT * [0.65 + 0.01 * SFi]

- Step 3: The end user should select a programming language from the table found in step 3 on the main page that provides a rough estimates of the average number of lines of code required to build one function point in various programming languages. Once the programming language is selected, then the end user can calculated the Line Of Code (LOC).

- Step 4: This is the final step of the basic COCOMO model. The end user has to select one of the three (3) types of modes, which are organic, semi-detached, and embedded.

Organic Mode: Relatively small, simple software projects in which a small teams with good application experience work to a set of less than rigid requirement. The equation for the Effort (E) and Development time (D) for this model are :     
E = 2.4 * (KLOC)^1.05                      D = 2.5 * (E)^0.38

Semi-Detached Mode: An intermediate (in size and complexity) software project in which teams with mixed experience levels must meet a mix of rigid and less than rigid requirements. The equation for the Effort (E) and Development time (D) for this model are :                                                                                                                       
E = 3.0 * (KLOC)^1.12                       D = 2.5 * (E)^0.35

Embedded Mode: A software project that must be developed within a set of tight hardware, software and operational constraints. The equation for the Effort (E) and Development time (D) for this model are :                                       
E = 3.6 * (KLOC)^1.20                       D = 2.5 * (E)^0.32

Once the end user selects his/her model, he/she calculates the (E)ffort and the  (D)evelopment time.

2. Links (Top) :

The following are some helpful links that have more information about the COCOMO Models

http://sern.cpsc.ucalgary.ca/~hongd/SENG/621/pres/sld028.htm

http://www.softstarsystems.com/overview.htm

 

3. Reference (Top) :

Roger S. Pressman, 1997. Software Engineering - A Practitioner's Approach, Fourth Edition.