What do defect density metrics measure?

Defect density metrics are specifically designed to provide insights into the quality of software by relating the number of confirmed defects to the size of the software, typically measured in lines of code, function points, or other relevant size indicators. This ratio allows teams to quantify the number of defects in relation to the amount of code written or features implemented, making it easier to assess the software's quality and the effectiveness of the development process.

By using defect density metrics, teams can identify concentrated areas of quality issues and prioritize efforts for improvement. A higher defect density often indicates that there may be underlying problems in the codebase or testing processes, leading teams to investigate further. It serves as a valuable indicator for stakeholders about the reliability and maintainability of the software being developed.

The other options, while related to software quality and testing, focus on different aspects such as testing success rates, defect resolution speed, or team efficiency, which do not directly measure the inherent quality of the software in relation to its size like defect density does.