Flowchart Symbols & examples
§ The pictorial representation of an
algorithm with specific symbols for instructions & arrows showing the
sequence of operations is known as “FLOWCART”.
§ The basic geometric shapes to denote
different types of instructions. And these boxes are connected by solid lines
with arrow mark to indicate the flow of operations.
§ An algorithm is converted into a
flowchart & then instructions are
expressed in some programming language.
§ The main advantage of this two-step
approach . That is ,while drawing a flowchart one is not concerned with the
details of the elements of programming language.
§ Since a flowchart show of operations in
pictorial form, any error in the logic of the procedure can be detected more
easily than in a program.
FLOWCHART SYMBOLS
1. Terminal
§ It is used to indicate the beginning
(START) & ending (STOP) in the program logic flow.
§ It has the shape of an ellipse
2. Input/Output
§ The parallelogram is used as the
input/output symbol.
§ It will be attached with one entry flow & one exit flow.
3. Process
§ A rectangle is used to represent the
processing step.
§ Arithmetic operations such as addition,
subtraction, multiplication, division
§ The Rombus is used as decision symbol
§ To indicate a point at which a decision has to be made.
5. Flow lines
§ Flow lines with arrow heads are used to indicate the flow of operations.
6. Connector
When flowchart becomes too long to fit /connect with this symbol.
Manual Input flowchart shapes show process
steps where the operator/ user is prompted for information that must be
manually input into a system.
a. ON-PAGE Connector
Flowchart sections can be connected with two
different symbols. The circle connects sections on the same page, and the home
base plate connects flowcharts from page to page. Inside these two symbols, the
programmer writes letters or numbers. The on-page connector uses letters inside
the circle to indicate where the adjoining connector is located. A
"1" connects to a "1", a "2" to a "2",
etc.
The off-page connectors use the page number where the next part or the previous part of the flowchart is located. On- and off-page connectors have either an entrance or an exit.
Other Symbols used
1. Predefined process
A Predefined Process symbol is a marker
for another process step or series of process flow steps that are formally
defined elsewhere. This shape commonly depicts sub-processes (or subroutines in
programming flowcharts).
2. Manual Operations
Manual Operations flowchart shapes show
which process steps are not automated. In data processing flowcharts, this data
flow shape indicates a looping operation along with a loop limit symbol (which
is not supported by Microsoft Office, but a Manual Operation symbol rotated
180° will do the trick.)
3.Database
Also referred to as the “Data Symbol,” this shape represents data that is available for input or output as well as representing resources used or generated.
4.Document symbol
Represents the input or output of a document,
specifically. Examples of and input are receiving a report, email, or order.
Examples of an output using a document symbol include generating a
presentation, memo, or letter.
5. Delay
The Delay flowchart symbol depicts any waiting
period that is part of a process. Delay shapes are common in process mapping.
6.
Preparation
As the names states, any process step that is a
Preparation process flow step, such as a set-up operation.
7. Merge
Shows the merging of multiple processes or
information into one.
Advantages of Flowchart
Better communication
Effective analysis
Effective synthesis
Efficient
coding
Dis advantages
of Flowchart
Very time consuming for large complex program
If any change /modify in the logic of the algorithm, usually
requires a completely new flowchart
There are no
std determining the amount of details.
Ex:
Comments