STRUCTURE CHARTS

KHALIA BROWN
GOLDIE BOURNE
WHAT IS A STRUCTURE CHART?

• A structure chart (SC) is a diagram which illustrates the breakdown of a system to its lowest
functional modules. Structures charts represent hierarchical structures of modules and they
describe the functions and sub-functions of each module of a system in detail. 
WHAT IS A STRUCTURE CHART?

A structure chart depicts

• the size and complexity of the system, and

• number of readily identifiable functions and modules within each function and

• whether each identifiable function is a manageable entity or should be broken down into smaller components.
COMPONENTS OF A STRUCTURE CHART

• Structure charts are constructed of squares which represent the different modules in the system
. Each square contains the module's name. 
• Modules at the top of the chart are called  low level. Straight lines that connect these squares
and these lines represent the connection and between activities and subactivities. 
COMPONENTS OF A STRUCTURE CHART
Symbols used in construction of structure charts
• Module/subroutine
These represent the processes or tasks of the system. There are three types:
Control Modules
A control module branches to more than one sub module.
Sub Modules
Sub Module is a module which is the part of another module.
Library Modules
Library Module are reusable and invokable
COMPONETS OF A STRUCTURE CHART
Symbols used in construction of structure charts

Decision
• This represents the control module and selects a submodule on the
basis of some predetermined condition
COMPONENTS OF A STRUCTURE CHART

Symbols used in construction of structure charts

Loop/ Repetition
• It represents the repeated execution of a module.  The loop in the
module is represented by a curved arrow.
COMPONENTS OF A STRUCTURE CHART
Symbols used in construction of structure charts

Parameter

• They represent the flow of data between the modules. They are represented by an arrow with an empty circle at the end.
COMPONENTS OF A STRUCTURE CHART
Symbols used in construction of structure charts

Control  Parameter
This represents the flow of control between the modules. They are represented by directed arrows with filled circle at the end.
COMPONENTS OF A STRUCTURE CHART
Symbols used in construction of structure charts

Call Line

• Indicates the path (sequence) between modules/ subroutines

CONSTRUCTING A STRUCTURE CHART

• The construction of a structure chart is started with the creation of a

structure, which resembles the root of an upside-down tree.  The next step
is to define the main sub-tasks that must be performed by the program to
solve the problem. Next, the programmer focuses on each individual sub-
task, and determines how each one can be further broken down into even
smaller tasks. Eventually, the program will be  broken down to a point
where the “leaves” of the tree represent simple instructions that can be
coded with just a few program statements.  Components are read from
top to bottom and left to right.
EXAMPLE: STRUCTURE CHART FOR AN
EMAIL SERVER