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Data Flow Diagram PDF

A data flow diagram (DFD) is a graphical representation of data flows within a system. It shows what data will be input and output from the system and where data will be stored. A DFD does not show timing or parallel processes. The context-level DFD shows the system as a single process interacting with external entities. The Level 1 DFD shows the system divided into sub-processes and internal data stores. There are different notations for drawing DFDs, such as Yourdon/DeMarco, which define visual representations for processes, data stores, data flows, and external entities.

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74 views

Data Flow Diagram PDF

A data flow diagram (DFD) is a graphical representation of data flows within a system. It shows what data will be input and output from the system and where data will be stored. A DFD does not show timing or parallel processes. The context-level DFD shows the system as a single process interacting with external entities. The Level 1 DFD shows the system divided into sub-processes and internal data stores. There are different notations for drawing DFDs, such as Yourdon/DeMarco, which define visual representations for processes, data stores, data flows, and external entities.

Uploaded by

Sanam1378
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Data flow diagram

A data flow diagram (DFD) is a graphical representation of the "flow" of data through an information system, modeling itsprocess aspects. Often they are a preliminary step used to create an overview of the system which can later be elaborated.[2]DFDs can also be used for the visualization of data processing (structured design). A DFD shows what kinds of information will be input to and output from the system, where the data will come from and go to, and where the data will be stored. It does not show information about the timing of processes, or information about whether processes will operate in sequence or in parallel.

Overview

Data flow diagram example.

Data flow diagram -Yourdon/DeMarco notation.

It is common practice to draw the context-level data flow diagram first, which shows the interaction between the system and external agents which act as data sources and data sinks. On the context diagram the system's interactions with the outside world are modelled purely in terms of data flows across the system boundary. The context diagram shows the entire system as a single process, and gives no clues as to its internal organization. This context-level DFD is next "exploded", to produce a Level 1 DFD that shows some of the detail of the system being modeled. The Level 1 DFD shows how the system is divided into sub-systems (processes), each of which deals with one or more of the data flows to or from an external agent, and which together provide all of the functionality of the system as a whole. It also identifies internal data stores that must be present in order for the system to do its job, and shows the flow of data between the various parts of the system. Data flow diagrams were proposed by Larry Constantine, the original developer of structured [3] design, based on Martin and Estrin's "data flow graph" model of computation. Data flow diagrams are one of the three essential perspectives of the structured-systems analysis and design method SSADM. The sponsor of a project and the end users will need to be briefed and consulted throughout all stages of a system's evolution. With a data flow diagram, users are able to visualize how the system will operate, what the system will accomplish, and how the system will be implemented. The old system's dataflow diagrams can be drawn up and compared with the new system's data flow diagrams to draw comparisons to implement a more efficient system. Data flow diagrams can be used to provide the end user with a physical idea of where the data they input ultimately has an effect upon the structure of the whole system from order to dispatch to report. How any system is developed can be determined through a data flow diagram model. In the course of developing a set of levelled data flow diagrams the analyst/designers is forced to address how the system may be decomposed into component sub-systems, and to identify the transaction data in the data model. Data flow diagrams can be used in both Analysis and Design phase of SDLC.

There are different notations to draw data flow diagrams (Yourdon & Coad and Gane & Sarson ), defining different visual representations for processes, data stores, data flow, and external entities.

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Data Flow Diagram Notations


You can use two different types of notations on your data flow diagrams:Yourdon & Coad or Gane & Sarson.

Process Notations

Process
A process transforms incoming data flow into outgoing data flow. Learn how to edit text on this object.

Yourdon and Coad Process Notations

Gane and Sarson Process Notation

Datastore Notations

DataStore
Datastores are repositories of data in the system. They are sometimes also referred to as files. Learn how to edit text on this object.

Yourdon and Coad Datastore Notations

Gane and Sarson Datastore Notations

Dataflow Notations

Dataflow
Dataflows are pipelines through which packets of information flow. Label the arrows with the name of the data that moves through it. Learn how to connect objects.

External Entity Notations

External Entity
External entities are objects outside the system, with which the system communicates. External entities are sources and destinations of the system's inputs and outputs. Learn how to edit text on this object.

Data Flow Diagram Layers


Draw data flow diagrams in several nested layers. A single process node on a high level diagram can be expanded to show a more detailed data flow diagram. Draw the context diagram first, followed by various layers of data flow diagrams.

DFD levels
The first level DFD shows the main processes within the system. Each of these processes can be broken into further processes until you reach pseudocode.

An example first-level data flow diagram

The nesting of data flow layers

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