Recording and Counting Files

Counting Logical Files

The Function Tree and the Data Tree are used to model the functionality delivered by the software that will be function point counted. The Function Tree is where the Transactions (Elementary Processes) are recorded. The Data Tree is where the Data Groups or logical files (ILFs and EIFs) are counted. The Attributes Tree and Notes Tree are used for selective profiling and documenting the functionality, (see Types of Hierarchy Trees).

HINT: The second level of the Data Tree (Data Group Level) is the level at which Logical Files are inserted and function points are assigned to each Logical File. If you do not wish to take the time to model your software then create a single Data Group Folder and just list your Data Groups (Logical Files) below it.

Recording Data Groups on the Data Tree.

• Select the Data tab at the top of the screen to view the Data. Select Insert Data Group Folder to create a Folder in which to group your list of logical files. Creating Folders enables you to group logical files that are related for ease of finding and easy understanding of your count. E.g. Accounts Related Files, Customer Related Files. Press F2 to rename the folder.
• Group Folder and press Alt + Ins to insert Data Group nodes. These represent the major data entities or classes of objects accessed by the software. Insert the name of the Data Group on the opposite side by selecting the Detail or double click the Data Group name or press F2 to rename.
• Use the detail view (select Details Tab above the status bar) to enter the Functional Size details of Data Group Type and Complexity.
• The Data Group type defaults to Undefined and the complexity to Low. Override the default Data Group type using the User Select option under DG Type Result Source. By default the Data Group is Derived from how it is accessed by Processes Linked to it.
• If functions or Processes that Update the Data Group are Linked to the Data Group then the Data Group Type derived is an Internal Logical File (ILF).
• When you select to link a process to a Data Group, the access type defaults to READ ONLY, indicating that the process only reads the Data Group and does not update it. The READ ONLY access type is identified by a RED TICK . If you the process actually updates the data group then click on the link box a second time and the second mouse click changes the link to a blue to designate the data group is UPDATED. The next click resets the status to UNLINKED status to the UNLINKED state of a blank box.
• As you move down the Function Tree displays the list of data groups linked to that process and the colour of the link (tick colour) indicates the access type for each data group
• Alternatively you can elect to change the access type of the link by right clicking the mouse button when located on the data group and selecting the access type from a drop down list (UPDATE or READ ONLY)
• Select any of the following options from Complexity Result Source to override the default complexity :
  • Range: select the appropriate range of DETs (unique fields stored by the data group) and RETs (unique sub-groups of DETs)
  • Assessment: select Low, Average or High
  • Enter Value: insert the actual number of DETs and RETs
  • Default: accept the default value of Low
  • Derived: calculates complexity from the number of RETs and DETs recorded as child nodes under the data group

SCOPE enables you to record individual RETs and DETs and their details by inserting child nodes under each Data Group. These are only used to calculate complexity when the Derived option is selected. For very detailed documented counts SCOPE allows you to link processes to the DETs that they use. This is useful when a DET is impacted by a Change that use that DET.

If you want to group the details of multiple data groups into one Data Group node then enter the number of data groups in the Multiplier field. E.g. where you know there are 6 Tax Rates Reference Files of low complexity (each 7 function points), name the Data Group ‘Tax Reference Files’ and enter 6 into the multiplier. The function points calculated for the Data Group are multiplied by 6 to total 42. SCOPE will display the calculated function points for the Data Group at the bottom right of the Detail screen.