Development projects and enhancement projects often include more than a single application. In these cases, the multiple application boundaries are identified within the counting scope, but they are counted separately. A great deal of confusion exists among function point users relating to the definition of boundaries used in the sizing of applications. It is extremely important that all facets of function point counting be accomplished consistently. Boundaries definitely should not be established at the individual software program or software module level.
Function points appear to be relevant only at a higher application level.
Back to our example, the counting scope for the Location application count includes all functionality currently present in the Location application. The primary intent of an ILF is to hold data maintained through one or more elementary processes of the application being counted. The primary intent of an EIF is to hold data referenced through one or more elementary processes within the boundary of the application counted. An EIF counted for an application must be in an ILF in another application. The primary intent of an EI is to maintain one or more ILFs or to alter the behavior of the application through its processing logic.