Calculate TSQL Stored Procedure Complexity

I had a recent project where we planned to re-factor an existing application’s .Net and TSQL code. I wanted to find the complexity of the stored procedures and arrive at an estimate of the effort required to review all them. I had in mind that something like number of lines of code, number of dependencies and parameters in the stored procedure would give a good starting  point to create such an estimate.

I patched together a script that produced a report similar to the example below. I used that output and put in some more formulas to assign a complexity level (simple, medium or complex) and the approximate number of minutes required to review that procedure. I have not included those calculations here because they depend entirely on the estimator’s perception of complexity and the developer’s skill level.

The number of lines of code is a subjective metric here because it depends on the developer’s coding style and use of whitespace. Even then, it could be a useful reference point.

Complexity Report Screenshot

In case this seems useful then the script to create that report is available for download at Technet.

Download and rate the script at: http://gallery.technet.microsoft.com/Calculate-TSQL-Stored-831b683a

CHANGE HISTORY:
2012/Dec/01 – Version 1
2013/Feb/15 – Version 1.1 Added the CASE statement for complexity.
2014/Apr/29 – Version 1.2 Added Database and Schema name to the report.
Included objects that may not be refering to other objects.
Included views, functions and triggers.

Please feel free to share you feedback in the comments.