Validating Halstead's theory with system 3 data

Abstract

Gaffney (ibid., vol.SE-10, no.7, pp.459-463, 1984) concludes that the number of faults per line of code is independent of whether Assembly language or a high order language is used. This is contrary to the results published by the commenter (ibid. vol.SE-8, pp.437-439, July 1982). It is contended that the paper by Gaffney contains some technical errors and uses erroneous data. An explanation of the source of the erroneous data is given. Also, previously published information by the commenter on the average number of operators plus operands per line of Assembly language code is corrected.