Lines of Code: The Metric That Proves Itself

Despite widespread dismissal in the tech industry, lines of code (LOC) is actually a highly effective measure of code complexity, validated by decades of peer-reviewed research showing strong correlations with established complexity metrics. This matters because code complexity directly drives software development costs, maintenance burdens, and long-term quality—making LOC a practical and validated tool for understanding these critical factors. By grounding technical decisions in actual data rather than assumption, teams can better evaluate their software's true complexity and make more informed architectural choices.