The unfortunately named CRAP method of measuring code quality uses a metric based on Cyclomatic complexity (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclomatic_complexity) and code coverage to estimate change and maintenance risk of code (this page has an equation http://www.artima.com/weblogs/viewpost.jsp?thread=215899). The paper cited in Vivek's article emphasises that code length decreases cognitive complexity. I would bet that Cyclomatic complexity also correlates to bugs and maintainability on the same basis.