Complexity metrics for cascading style sheets

Abstract

Web applications are becoming important for small and large companies since they are integrated with their business strategies. Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) however are an integral part of contemporary Web applications that are perceived as complex by users and this result in hampering its widespread adoption. The factors responsible for CSS complexity include size, variety in its rule block structures, rule block reuse, cohesion and attribute definition in rule blocks. In this paper, we have proposed relevant metric for each of the complexity factors. The proposed metrics are validated through a practical framework. The outcome shows that the proposed metrics satisfy most of the parameters required by the practical framework hence establishing them as well structured. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.