A flow chart can be used to define, analyze, and improve processes using standard symbols like start/end, input/output, decision making, and connectors. Guidelines for effective flow charts include listing requirements in logical order, using clear and unambiguous symbols, following consistent directional flow, and ensuring logical starts and finishes. Flow charts effectively communicate, analyze, document, code, debug, and maintain programs, though they have limitations for complex logic, alterations requiring redrawing, and difficulty reproducing hand-drawn symbols.
2. A flow chart can be used to:
Define and analyse processes.
Build a step-by-step picture of the process
for analysis, discussion, or communication.
Define, standardise or find areas for
improvement in a process.
11. Guidelines in flowcharting
In drawing a proper flowchart, all necessary
requirements should be listed out in logical
order.
The flowchart should be clear, neat and easy to
follow. There should not be any room for
ambiguity in understanding the flowchart.
The usual direction of the flow of a procedure or
system is from left to right or top to bottom.
13. …Guidelines in flowcharting
Only one flow line should enter a decision
symbol, but two or three flow lines, one
for each possible answer, should leave the
decision symbol.
15. …Guidelines in flowcharting –
Write within standard symbols briefly. As
necessary, you can use the annotation
symbol to describe data or
computational steps more clearly.
This is confidential data
16. …Guidelines in flowcharting –
In case of complex flowchart, it is better to use
connector symbols to reduce the number of flow
lines. Avoid the intersection of flow lines.
Ensure that the flowchart has a logical start and
finish.
It is useful to test the validity of the flowchart by
passing through it with a simple test data.
17. Advantages Of Using Flowcharts :
Effective communication
Effective analysis
Proper documentation
Efficient Coding
Proper Debugging
Efficient Program Maintenance
18. Limitations of using Flowcharts :
1. Complex logic: Sometimes, the program
logic is quite complicated.
2. Alterations and Modifications:
Alterations may require re-drawing
completely.
3. Reproduction: As the flowchart symbols
cannot be typed, reproduction of flowchart
becomes a problem.
19. Example 2
Draw a flowchart to find the largest of three
numbers A,B and C.