flowcharts

Kinds of Flowcharts • Computer professionals use two types of flowcharts System Flowcharts • System flowcharts are used by system analyst to show various processes, sub systems, outputs and operations on data in a system. • Contain solution of many problem units together that are closely related to each other and interact with each other to achieve a goal. Program Flowchart • These are used by programmers. • A program flowchart shows the program structure, logic flow and operations performed. • It also forms an important part of the documentation of the system. • It broadly includes the following:-  Program Structure  Program Logic  Data Inputs at various stages  Data Processing  Computations and Calculations.  Conditions on which decisions are based  Branching & Looping Sequences  Results.- Various Outputs. • The emphasis in a program flowchart is on the logic

/Program Flowchart • Errors can be easily detected from a program flowchart because • Pictorial representation of a logic of a program • It can be followed easily and quickly • It serves as a good document Advantages of Using Flowcharts The benefits of flowcharts are as follows: • Communication: Flowcharts are better way of communicating the logic of a system to all concerned. • Effective analysis: With the help of flowchart, problem can be analysed in more effective way. • Proper documentation: Program flowcharts serve as a good program documentation, which is needed for various purposes. • Efficient Coding: The flowcharts act as a guide or blueprint during the systems analysis and program development phase. • Proper Debugging: The flowchart helps in debugging process. • Efficient Program Maintenance: The maintenance of operating program becomes easy with the help of flowchart. It helps the programmer to put efforts more efficiently on that part.

Limitations of Using Flowcharts • Complex logic: Sometimes, the program logic is quite complicated. In that case, flowchart becomes complex and clumsy. • Alterations and Modifications: If alterations are required the flowchart may require re-drawing completely. • Reproduction: As the flowchart symbols cannot be typed, reproduction of flowchart becomes a problem. • The essentials of what is done can easily be lost in the technical details of how it is done. Five rules should be followed while creating program flowcharts. • Only the standard symbols should be used in program flowcharts. • The program logic should depict the flow from top to bottom and from left to right. • Each symbol used in a program flowchart should contain only one entry point and one exit point, with the exception of the decision symbol. This is known as the single rule. • The operations shown within a symbol of a program flowchart should be expressed independently of any particular programming language. • All decision branches should be well-labeled