Structured Analysis

Structured Analysis
Graphic, easy to understand
Partitioned process, clear
picture of progression from
general to specifc
Logical rather than physical
Precise, concise and highly
readable
Tools of structured analysis
Data Dictionary
Structured
Decision
FlowTree
Table
Diagram
English
Data Flow Diagram
A DFD is graphical representation which shows
the ‘FLOW OF DATA’.
It is used for the visualization of data processing
for structured design.
It shows interaction between the system and
outside entity.
It is also called bubble chart.
It is starting point in the system design that
decomposes to lowest level.
It consist of series of bubbles joined by lines.
Bubbles represents transformations.
DFD
It has four symbols
1. External Entity

2. Data Flow

3. Data Store

4. Process
Explaton of symbols of DFD
The EXTERNAL ENTITY symbol represents
source of data to the system. External entities
determine system boundaries. They are
beyond the area of infuence of the developer.
The DATA FLOW represents movement of
data. Data fow represents ‘DATA IN
MOTION’. Data fows are always named.
Names should be some identifying noun. For
example: order, payment etc.
Explanaton of symbols of DFD
The DATA STORE symbol represents data that is
not moving. Data stores are repository of for
data. It is an ‘inventory’ of data. Data stores are
named with an appropriate name. For example:
Customers, Orders, Products.
The PROCESS symbol represents an activity that
transforms or manipulates the data. Processes
are actions performed on incoming data fows to
produce outgoing data fows. All processes must
have some inputs and outputs. Major functions
of processes are making decisions.
Advantages of DFD
Understanding interestedness of
systems and sub systems.
Communicating current system
knowledge to the user.
Part of system documentation fles.
Logic underlining.
Easy to follow errors.
Disadvantages of DFD
Physical consideration
neglected.
Large number of alteration.
Ambiguous.
Data Dictonary
DD is structured repository of data. It keeps
the details of data fows, process and data
stores. It documents the list of contents of all
data fows.
It has three classes:-
Data Element

Data
structure

Data Data
Flow Store
Data Dictonary
Classes of DD are:-
1. Data elements: smallest unit of data
further cannot be decomposed.
2. Data structure: group of data elements.
3. Data Flows and Data Stores: Data
fows are data structures in motion. Data
stores are data structures in store.
Advantages of Data Dictonary
Valuable reference
Improves communication
Compare data description
Cross reference
Build database

Disadvantage is that it do not provide details

Structured English
It uses logical constructs to carry
out instructions for data (actions)
Decisions are made through the use
of IF, THEN, ELSE and SO
statements.
It is highly correlated to the decision
tree.
Example
Structured English version of the sales
promotion policy:-
IF customer is a preferred customer , and
IF customer orders more than $1000, THEN
apply a 5% discount, and IF customer uses
our charge card, THEN apply an additional
5% discount ELSE award $25 bonus coupon
ELSE award $5 bonus coupon.
Decision Trees
They sketch out logical structure based on
some criteria. It is a graphical
representations of the conditions, actions and
rules found in a decision tree.
DIAGRAMATIC REPRESENTATION 5% DISCOUNT
AND AN
ADDITIONAL
5% DISCOUNT

5%
DISCOUN
T
Advantages of decision tree
Easy to understand
Business rues are mapped easily
Real problems solved
No prior assumptions
Process both numerical and
categorical data
Disadvantages of decision tree
Output attribute must be
categorical
Limited to one output attribute
only
Decision tree algorithms are
unstable
complex
Decision Table
It is single representation of the
relationship between conditions and
actions.
A condition is usually given a value of
‘Y’ for ‘YES’, it is true, ‘N’ for ‘NO’ and
a dash for ‘DO NOT CARE’.
Decision tree fails to tell us what
conditions to test, a decision table can
carry out the conditions to test.
Features of decision table
Defnes problem and actions
Relationship between condition and
action
Two parts :- (1) stub (2) entry
Stub has two parts:- (a) condition
stub (b) action stub
Entry has two parts (a) condition
entry (b) action entry
Decision table diagram
Condition Stub Condition
Entry
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8
Preferred customer Y Y Y Y N
N N N
Ordered more than $1000 Y Y N N Y
Y N N
Used our charge card Y N Y N Y
N Y N

5% discount x x
Additional 5% discount x
Advantages of decision table
Concise description of logically complex
situation
Easier to draw and change than fow
charts
Easier to follow a particular path down
one column than through several fow
charts pages

Limitation