Flowchart

• A Flowchart is a graphical representation of a process.
• It uses some predefined symbols to represent a process in simple and understandable manner.

Flowchart Symbols:

[1] Start/Stop:

• An oval or rounded rectangle is used to represent starting and completion of a process in a flowchart.

[2] Input/Output:

• Input and output operation can be represented using slant rectangle
• To input data from outer word and displaying some result to the user slant rectangle is used.

[3] Process:

• Rectangle is use to represent some processing or calculation on data.

[4] Decision:

• Decision step can be represented with the help of a diamond shape.
• When certain action is to be taken based on some condition then conditional step is represented by diamond shape.

[5] Data flow:

• Flow of the data can be represented using arrow shape.
• It shows direction of the data towards different program module.

[6] Document/Report:

• Document or data reports generated after processing is represented using document or report shape.

[7] Continuity:

• If the flowchart gets large and cannot be represented on a single page then circle shape can be used as a connector.

Advantages of flowchart:

• It shows overall process in a graphical format.
• It is easy to understand program logic.
• It shows flow of the data about the program.
• It helps to trace direction of process and program logic.
• It displays all possible state of the program in a specific condition.

Disadvantages of flowchart:

• Drawing a flowchart is time consuming process especially when program is large.
• If program logic gets changed it requires modifying the flowchart.
• Modification in a flowchart requires redrawing complete flowchart.
• If a process is more complex, the flowchart will also be complex.
• It is simple for less complex and small process but as soon as program gets large, flowchart becomes complex.