Term discussion: metric vs measure

[ice1e0]

in the schema definition the terms 'simple metric' and 'composed metric' are used (e.g. see code file metric.py).

Shouldn't this be renamed:

• 'simple metric' to measure and
• 'composed metric' to metric?

I think this article gives a good explanation how to distinguish between both terms:

Definition of measure

In a data context, measures are the numbers or values that can be summed and/or averaged, such as sales, leads, distances, durations, temperatures, and weight. [...]

Definition of metric:

A metric is a quantifiable measure that is used to track and assess the status of a specific process. If you’re confused because we haven’t yet covered “measure,” get this: according to the Oxford dictionary, the word measure is derived from the Latin word "metiri." In others words, their meanings are almost identical—which is why you may find them used interchangeably. That said, here is the difference: a measure is a fundamental or unit-specific term—a metric can literally be derived from one or more measures. [...]

 

Sample

The measures and metrics analyzed in this repo about the New York Citi bike trips can be distinguished as following:

Measures

• incoming trips — Number of trips whose endpoint is this station.
• outgoing trips — Number of trips whose starting point is this station.
• bikes outbound — Number of bikes which start their day here and get ridden out.
• outbound trips — Number of trips taken by bikes which start their day here.
• bikes inbound — Number of bikes which end their day here.
• inbound trips — Number of trips taken by bikes which end their day here.

Metrics

• all trips — Number of trips that end or being here (incoming trips + outgoing trips)
• delta bikes — Difference in number of bikes between start and end of the day (bikes inbound - bikes outbound).
• delta trips — Difference in number of trips taken by bikes which start their day here (incoming trips + outgoing trips).

[martin-loetzsch]

Very good points. How would you name the common base class for the both of them (currently Metric)?

[ice1e0]

What is the purpose of the base class?

[ice1e0]

As the definition says, measures are metrics. Metrics is the term you use when doing business reporting, and measure is the term when you talk about retrieve raw data.

So, the base class name Metric is still a good idea, because both - measures and (calculated) metrics - are metrics.

The term metric doesn't tell itself how the data is retrieved. So, I don't think we should search for a name for the base class, but an alternate name for the class ComposedMetric.

What do you think about calling it Indicator as a short form of Performance Indicator or Key Performance Indicator? Definition for Indicator: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indicator

So, suggested changes would then be:

• rename class SimpleMetric to Measure
• rename class ComposedMetric to Indicator