GUIDELINES FOR DRAWING A FLOW CHART

GUIDELINES FOR DRAWING A FLOW CHART

Flow Charts are usually drawn using some standard symbols; however, however, some special symbols can also be developed when required. Some standard flow chart symbols, symbols , which are frequently required for flowcharting many computer programs are shown in Fig.1

FLOW CHART DESIGN SYMBOL

It is not strictly necessary to use boxes, circles, diamonds or other such symbols to construct a flow chart, but these do help to describe the types of events in the chart more clearly. Described below are a set of standard symbols which are applicable to most situations without being overly complex. •

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Rounded box - use it to represent an event which occurs automatically. Such an event will trigger a subsequent action, for example 'receive telephone call', or describe a new state of affairs. Rectangle or box - use it to represent an event which is controlled within the process. Typically this will be a step or action which is taken. In most flowcharts this will be the most frequently used symbol.

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Diamond - use it to represent a decision point in the process. Typically, the statement in the symbol will require a 'yes' or 'no' response and branch to different parts of the flowchart accordingly.

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Circle - use it to represent a point at which the flowchart connects with another process. The name or reference for the other process should appear within the symbol.

FLOW CHARTING DESIGN GUIDELINES

The following are some guidelines in flow charting: 1. 2.

In drawing drawing a proper proper flow chart, chart, all necessary necessary require requirement ments s should be listed listed out in logical logical order. The flowchar flowchartt should be clear, clear, neat neat and easy to follow. follow. There There should should not be any ro room om for ambiguity in understanding the flow chart.

3. The usual usual direct direction ion of the flow flow of a procedu procedure re or system system is from from left to right right or top to bottom. 4.

Only one one flow flow line should should com come e out from from a proces process s symbol. symbol.

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Only one one flow line should should enter enter a decision decision symbol, symbol, but two or three three flow flow lines, lines, one for each possible answer, should leave the decision symbol.

6.

Only one one flow line line is used used in conjunc conjunction tion with with terminal terminal symbol symbol..

7. Write Write wi with thin in st stan anda dard rd fl flow ow ch char artt sy symb mbol ols s br brie iefl fly. y. As ne nece cess ssar ary, y, yo you u ca can n us use e th the e annotation symbol to describe data or computational steps more clearly. 8. If the flowchar flowchartt becomes becomes comple complex, x, it is better better to use connec connector tor symbo symbols ls to red reduce uce the number of flow lines. Avoid the intersection of flow lines if you want to make it more effective and better way of communication. 9. Ens Ensure ure that that the the flowc flowchar hartt has a logic logical al start  and finish. 10. It is useful to test the validity of the flowchart flowchart by passing passing through through it with a simpl simple e test data.