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Flow Charts
A diagrammatic representation that illustrates the sequence of operations to be performed to get the solution of a problem. Generally drawn in the early stages of formulating computer solutions. Facilitate communication between programmers and business people/end users. Play a vital role in the programming of a problem and are quite helpful in understanding the logic of complicated and lengthy problems. Once the flowchart is drawn, it becomes easy to write the program in any high level language. Must for the better documentation of a complex program.
Flow Charts
A flow chart can be used to: Define and analyse processes. Build a step-by-step picture of the process for analysis, discussion, or communication. Define, standardise or find areas for improvement in a process.
Flow Charts
Symbols for drawing a flowchart:
Magnetic Tape
Magnetic Disk
HYBRID
For Display
Flow lines
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.
Guidelines in flowcharting Only one flow line should come out from a process symbol.
OR
Guidelines in flowcharting 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.
Guidelines in flowcharting Only one flow line is used in conjunction with terminal symbol.
Start
Stop/End
Guidelines in flowcharting Write within standard symbols briefly. As necessary, you can use the annotation symbol to describe data or computational steps more clearly. This is confidential data
Guidelines in flowcharting In case of complex flowchart, it is better to use connector symbols to reduce the number of flow lines. Avoid the intersection of flow lines. 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 a simple test data.
Defining diagram
Input Processing Output Total
Number1 Read three numbers Number2 Add number together Number3 Print total number
Solution
Print total
Stop
Example 3 Draw a flowchart to find the largest of three numbers A,B and C.
Assignment
Fill in the blanks1. A program flowchart indicates the_________ to be performed and the __________ in which they occur. 2. A program flowchart is generally read from _____________ to ________________ 3. Flowcharting symbols are connected together by means of ___________________ 4. A decision symbol may be used in determining the ____________ or ___________ of two data items. 5. __________ are used to join remote portions of a flowchart 6. ____________ connectors are used when a flowchart ends on one page and begins again on other page 7. A ________ symbol is used at the beginning and end of a flowchart. 8. The flowchart is one of the best ways of ________ a program.. 9. To construct a flowchart, one must adhere to prescribed symbols provided by the __________ . 10. The program uses a ____________ to aid it in drawing flowchart symbols.
Answers
Operations, sequence Top, down Flow line Equality, inequality connectors Off -page Terminal documenting ANSI (American National Standards Institute) Flowcharting template