Software Quality ISO Standards

The ISO/IEC 9126 standard describes a software quality
model which categorizes software quality into six
characteristics (factors) which are sub-divided into
sub-characteristics (criteria). The characteristics are
manifested externally when the software is used as a
consequence of internal software attributes.

The internal software attributes are measured by means of
internal metrics (e.g., monitoring of software development
before delivery). Examples of internal metrics are given in
ISO 9126-3. The quality characteristics are measured
externally by means of external metrics (e.g., evaluation of
software products to be delivered). Examples of external
metrics are given in ISO 9126-2.

Our work focuses on the assessment of the internal quality
of a software product as it can be assessed upon the source
code. In the following we describe the general quality model
as defined in ISO 9126-1 with its properties and
sub-properties. Details of the internal aspect of this model
are given as well.