Why we should use function points [software metrics]

Function point analysis helps developers and users quantify the size and complexity of software application functions in a way that is useful to software users. Are function points a perfect metric? No. Are they a useful metric? In the author´s experience, yes. Function points are technologically independent, consistent, repeatable, and help normalize data, enable comparisons, and set project scope and client expectations. The author addresses these issues from the perspective of a practitioner who uses the International Function Point Users Group´s Counting Practices Manual, Release 4.0 rules for counting function points. Of course, other function point standards exist, including Mark II and Albrecht´s original rules