5.1-FlowChart
Post date: 03-Aug-2014 10:39:26
Flow Charts
Flow charts are used to represent any well defined sequence of activities. they are used to convey in diagrammatic form, the logic, processing operations and flow of control required of a computer program
Uses Of Flowcharts
Flowcharts are used by programmers to:
- To plan the structure of a program before it is written
- To describe the structure of a program after it has been written
Flowchart Symbols
Flowchart symbols are combined with short text clues which are a form of shorthand understood by programmers. Below is a list of symbols:
1- Start/Stop
2- Input/Output
3- Process
4- Decision
5- Connector
6- Arrow
Symbol
Meaning
Ellipse: denotes the beginning and end of the program algorithm
Parallelogram: used to denote an input or output operation. For example, READ A, B, PRINT SUM
Rectangle: Indicates that a processing or data transformation is taking place. For example SUM = A+B
Rhombus: Used to specify a condition. A condition must evaluate to a Boolean value (true or false) for the program to execute the next instructions
Circle: Used as a connecting point or interface for arrows coming from different directions
Arrow: Used to indicate the direction of flow of the program logic
Guidelines For Drawing a Flowchart
- there should be only one entry/starting point and one exit point of the program algorithm - except for decisions and connectors
- Use the correct symbol at each stage in the flowchart
- The logical flow should be clearly shown using arrows.
- Use connectors to reduce the number of flow-lines
- Add notes if necessary, but don't clutter the diagram
- Lines should ideally be vertical or horizontal