How is "defect density" calculated?

Defect density is calculated by dividing the number of confirmed defects by the size of the software, which is typically measured in lines of code (LOC). This metric provides a quantifiable way to assess software quality; a higher defect density indicates more issues in the codebase relative to its size, while a lower density suggests better quality.

Using lines of code as a measure allows teams to normalize defect counts against the scale of the software, enabling comparisons across different projects or versions. This can help identify problematic areas in the code that may require more rigorous testing or refactoring. In the context of software development, focusing on defect density helps teams manage quality and guide improvement measures effectively.