Is there a way to measure lines of code in a VI?

[TheGrove]

My software quality team is trying to estimate how much testing is going to be needed for a LabVIEW project. Usually they go by lines of code, but LV is visual. I thought I heard about a tool that can be used to estimate lines of code. Is that true? Where can I find it?

[Mikael_Garcia]

If you are using the professional version of LabVIEW 6i, you have VI metrics under the menu item: Tools/Advanced/VI Metrics...
I am not sure about older versions but I think this is a new feature. Hope this helps. /Mikael

[Doug (CapeFl)]

Labview won't tell you exactly the # of lines of code, it will give you a the total Code size (memory in bytes) - check the Help under Metrics. We use this value as a certain ratio equivalent to tradional lines of code for estimating projects. With a little guess work, and depending on what traditional text-based language you compare to, you might find that Labview code is a 1:2 or 1:3, ?? ratio.
I have my own ratios for comparing to C or C++, etc., and continue to fine-tune these differences. Think how 100 lines of comments in a tradional code skews estimates...

[Doug (CapeFl)]

Labview won't tell you exactly the # of lines of code, it will give you a the total Code size (memory in bytes) - check the Help under Metrics. We use this value as a certain ratio equivalent to tradional lines of code for estimating projects. With a little guess work, and depending on what traditional text-based language you compare to, you might find that Labview code is a 1:2 or 1:3, ?? ratio.
I have my own ratios for comparing to C or C++, etc., and continue to fine-tune these differences. Think how 100 lines of comments in a tradional code skews estimates...

[Shug]

Doug,

Can you share your estimate of ratio to C or C++ once i have the memory in bytes for my LV VI?

Regards,

Alan