•What is Flowchart
•Overview & alternative names
•History
•Types
•Example’s
•Common shapes
•Advantages & Disadvantages
What is flowchart
Flowchart is combination of two words i.e. flow and chart. Chart
consist of different symbols to display information about any
program. Flow indicates the direction of processing that take place in
the program. Flowchart is a graphical representation of an algorithm.
It is a used to show all the steps of an algorithm in a sequence.
For Example:
Chart
Flow
Overview & common alternative names
Flowcharts are used in designing and documenting simple processes or
programs. Like other types of diagrams, they help visualize what is going
on and thereby help understand a process.
Flowchart is used to represent an algorithm in simple graphical manner.
•Flowchart is used to understand the flow of the program.
•Flowchart is used to show the steps of an algorithm in easy way.
Common alternative names include:
Flowchart, process flowchart, functional flowchart, process
map, process chart, functional process chart, business process
model, process model, process flow diagram, work
flow diagram, business flow diagram.
History of Flowchart
The first structured method for document process flow, the "flow process
chart,
was introduced by Frank Gilbreth to members of the American Society of
Mechanical Engineers (ASME)in 1921 in the presentation.
In 1944 Herman Goldstine and John Von Neumann use flowchart
in making computer programs.
With the passage of time Flowcharts became a popular means for
describing computer algorithms. Nowadays flowchart are still used for
describing computer algorithm. Modern technique such as UML activity
diagrams and Drakon - Charts can be considered to be extensions of the
flowchart.
Types of flowchart
• Document flowcharts, showing controls over a document-flow through a
system
• Data flowcharts, showing controls over a data-flow in a system
• System flowcharts, showing controls at a physical or resource
level
• Program flowchart, showing the controls in a program within a system
Notice: that every type of flowchart focuses on some kind of control, rather than on the
particular flow itself.
Flowchart Examples
How Sum Numbers 0 through 5
1. In the example to sum the numbers from 0 to 5, the
steps are identified as follows:
2. The oval symbol is always used to Start (item 1) the
program.
3. The second step is a process step that sets up the
variable Sum to 0 (Sum is used to Sum the numbers
from 1 to 5).
4. Is a process step that sets the variable N to 0 (N is used
to count the numbers 1 to 5).
5. Item 4 represents a computation step to add 1 to N
6. In item 5, we are calculating the current Sum of the
numbers with Sum = Sum + N.
7. Item 6 shows a diamond or decision symbol where we
test to see if the variable N has reached 5
8. The program ends. The oval symbol is always used to
End or Stop a program.
Common Shapes
Advantages of Flowchart
1)1It represents the data flow.
2)It provides a clear overview of the entire program and problem and solution.
3)It checks the accuracy in logic flow.
4) It documents the steps followed in an algorithm.
5) It provides the facility for coding.
6) It provides the way of modification of running program.
7) They shows all major elements and their relationship.
Disadvantages of Flowchart
1. Some processes or tasks are so complex that it becomes difficult to represent
them clearly in a flowchart
2. If an alteration needs to be made to the system, the flowchart might need to
be redrawn. If it was created by hand, this could take a lot of work.
3. People need to understand what a flowchart is for and what the different
symbols mean. It can look quite daunting until you are familiar with the
symbols.
Thanks.& See You Again.
Made by Alpha Group.