Flowchart Basics

1. What is a flowchart?

it is basically another way of writing up an algorithm. except with specific symbols.

It is a means of visually presenting the flow of data through an information processing systems, the operations performed within the system and the swquence in which they are performed.

It is drawn according to defined rules and using standard symbols.

It is a representation that illustrates the sequence of operatios to be performed to get the solution of a problem.

It is helpful in understanding the logic of complicated and lengthy problems.



2. Symbols

• Start or end of the program

it is a rectangle but with curved corners.
oblong.

• Computational steps or processin function of a program

a legit rectangle, with its legit corners.

• Input or output operation

a parallelogram.

• Decision making and branching

diamond.

• Flow line

arrows.

3.

With the decision making symbol (diamond) one flow line (arrow) comes in and two other flow lines (arrows) comes out as this represents a decision. Whereas, the process symbol (legit rectangle) one flow line comes in and one other flow line comes out.

4.

 

notes.

inputs/outputs. one arrow in, another arrow out.

connectors can connect to other connectors. (arrows)
always start and end with their symbols.
diamond; always question. always yes or no answer.
variable: stores values; a container.