Introductions to Flowcharts and Algorithm

The visual representations of an algorithm or a process. They use symbols/shapes to properly explain the sequence of steps involved in the algorithm or process

Flowcharts

Type of flowchart where it represent the sequence of steps in a process. They are frequently used in business process modeling, manufacturing, and project management

Process Flowchart

Type of flowchart where it organizes the process into different lanes, each representing a different person or department and is used for illustrating how different teams or departments collaborate within a process

Swimlane Flowchart

Type of flowchart where it represents how tasks, documents, or information move through a system and is commonly used in office process or software development

Workflow Diagram

Type of flowchart where it focuses on detailing the inputs, processes, and outputs. Used in system design and analysis to model the flow of data within a system

Data Flow Diagram

Type of flowchart where it focuses on mapping out decision points within a process and the possible outcomes of each decision. It is used in decision-making scenarios

Decision Flowchart

A graphical representation mapping out a step-by-step algorithm

Visual Blueprint

Structure the solution path before programming syntax gets in the way

Planning Logic

Catches logical errors (infinite loops, dead ends) in the design phase

Bug Identification

A language-agnostic diagram understood by developers, designers, and managers

Universal Communication

The oval symbol indicates Start, Stop and Halt in a program's logic flow. The first and last symbols in the flowchart. 

Terminal

A parallelogram denotes any function of input/output type. Program instructions that take input from input devices and display output on output devices are indicated with parallelogram in a flowchart. 

Input/Output

A box represents arithmetic instructions, specific action or operation that occurs as a part of the process. All arithmetic processes such as adding, subtracting, multiplication and division are indicated this symbol

Action/Process

Decision based operations such as yes/no question or true/false are indicated by diamond in flowchart. It is a diamond shape

Decision

Whenever a flowchart becomes complex, it is useful to use connectors to avoid confusion. They are used to indicate a jump from one part of the flowchart to another without drawing long or complicated lines. The continuation of the flowchart on the same page and represented by a small circle

On-page connector

Whenever a flowchart spreads over more than one page, it is useful to use connectors to avoid confusion. It shows the continuation of the flowchart on a different page and is represented by a pentagon.

Off-page connector

They indicate the exact sequence in which instructions are executed. They represent the direction of flow of control and relationship among different symbols of flowchart. 

Flow arrow

Type of structure where it is linear execution. Steps run top-to-bottom. No skipping and no repeating

Sequential Flow

Type of structure where it asks logic question. Divergent paths split flow based on binary conditions; paths eventually rejoin

Branching and Decisions

Type of structure where it is structural marker. A flowline pointing upwards and backwards to repeat a sequence

Looping and Iteration

Two types of loop in Looping and Iteration

Fixed Loop and Conditional Loop