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Cyclomatic Complexity Using Visual Studio

In this article, we will discuss cyclomatic complexity.

What Is Cyclomatic Complexity?

Cyclometic complexity specifies the number of linearly independent paths in a source code. Now, what are linearly independent paths?

Consider the following C# code.

int x = Convert.ToInt32(Console.ReadLine());
if (x % 2 == 0)	
   Console.WriteLine("Even");
else
   Console.WriteLine("Odd");

Here the execution will go like this

Picture showing the execution workflow of the code

Click to Enlarge

If you see the preceding figure there are 2 linearly independent paths (i.e. one with if condition and other with the else condition).

Significance Of Cyclomatic Complexity

Cyclomatic complexity is directly bound to risk. More the complexity of the code, more risk the program has. See the following table

Cyclomatic Complexity	Risk Evaluation
1 to 10	A simple program, without much risk
11 to 20	More complex, moderate risk
21 to 50	Complex, high-risk program
Greater than 50	Untestable program (very high risk)

How To Calculate Cyclomatic Complexity Using Visual Studio

You need an ultimate version of visual studio to calculate cyclomatic complexity. To calculate cyclomatic complexity

Open the project in visual studio.
Right-click on the project and click on ‘Calculate Code Metrics’

Picture showing the option of calculating the cyclomatic complexity in visual studio

Click to Enlarge

Cyclomatic complexity will be calculated methodwise and shown in ‘Code Metrics Result’ window (See the following figure)

Click to Enlarge

Posted By -	Karan Gupta

Posted On -	Sunday, February 7, 2016

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