(1) Flowcharts
A flowchart is a diagrammatic representation that illustrates the sequence of
operations performed to get to the solution of a problem. Flowcharts facilitate
communication between system analysts, system designers and programmers.
Guidelines for drawing a flowchart
Flowcharts are usually drawn using some standard symbols. Some standard symbols
used in drawing flowcharts are:
Start or end of the program - terminator
Process -
Computational steps or program processing
Alternate process
Decision making and branching
Data - Input or output operation
Connector or joining of two parts of program
Magnetic tape
Magnetic disk
Flow lines
Display
Document
Multiple documents
Stored data
The following are some guidelines in flowcharting:
In drawing a proper flowchart, all necessary requirements should be listed out
in logical order
The flowchart should be clear, neat and easy to follow. There should not be any
room for ambiguity in understanding the flowchart
The usual direction of the flow of a procedure or system is from left to right or
top to bottom
Only one flow line should come out from a process symbol
Or
Only one flow line should enter a decision symbol, but two or three flow lines,
one for each possible answer, should leave the decision symbol
>0 <0
=0
Only one flow line is used in conjunction with the termination symbol
Write within the standard symbols briefly. As necessary, you can use the
annotation symbol to describe data or computational steps more clearly.
---------- - This is top-secret data
If the flowchart becomes complex, it is better to use connector symbols to reduce
the number of flow lines. Avoid the intersection of flow lines if you want to
make it more effective and better way of communication.
Ensure that the flowchart has a logical start and finish
It is useful to test the validity of the flowchart by passing through it with simple
test data.
TYPES OF FLOWCHARTS
Flowcharts are of three types:
System flowcharts
Run flowcharts
Program flowcharts
System Flowcharts
System flowchart describes the data flow for a data processing system. It provides a
logical diagram of how the system operates. It represents the flow of documents, the
operations performed in data processing system. It also reflects the relationship
between inputs, processing and outputs. Following are the features of system
flowcharts:
The sources from which data is generated and device used for this purpose
Various processing steps involved
The intermediate and final output prepared and the devices used for their
storage
The figure below is a sample of system flowchart for the following algorithm (step
by step instructions on how to perform a certain task):
Prompt the user for the centigrade temperature.
Store the value in C
Set F to 32+(9C/5)
Print the value of C, F
Stop
System Flowchart
Run Flowcharts
Run flowcharts are used to represent the logical relationship of computer routines
along with inputs, master files transaction files and outputs.
The figure below illustrates a run flowchart.
Run Flowchart
Program Flowcharts
A program flowchart represents, in detail, the various steps to be performed within
the system for transforming the input into output. The various steps are logical/
arithmetic operations, algorithms, etc. It serves as the basis for discussions and
communication between the system analysts and the programmers. Program
flowcharts are quite helpful to programmers in organizing their programming
efforts. These flowcharts constitute an important component of documentation for
an application.
The figure represents a program flowchart for finding the sum of first five natural
numbers (i.e. 1,2,3,4,5).
Program Flowchart
Advantages of using flowcharts
Communication: Flowcharts are better ways of communicating the logic of a
system to all concerned.
Effective analysis: With the help of flowchart, problem can be analysed in
more effective way.
Proper documentation: Program flowcharts serve as a good program
documentation, which is needed for various purposes
Efficient coding: The flowcharts act as a guide or blueprint during the
systems analysis and program development phase.
Proper debugging: The flowchart helps in the debugging process.
Efficient program maintenance: The maintenance of operating program
becomes easy with the help of flowchart. It helps the programmer to put
efforts more efficiently on that part.
Limitations of using flowcharts
Complex logic: Sometimes, the program logic is quite complicated. In that
case, flowchart becomes complex and clumsy.
Alterations and modifications: If alterations are required the flowchart may
require redrawing completely.
The essentials of what is done can easily be lost in the technical details of
how it is done.
