What is flowchart in computer?
Hello my dear readers and visitors , In today's blog, we will learn about What is flowchart in computer? So let's start -
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FLOW CHART
Flowchart is a tool developed in the computer industry for showing the steps involved in a process. A flow chart is a diagram made up of boxes, diamonds and other shapes, connected by arrows. Each shape represents a step in the process and the arrows show the order in which they occur. Flow chart combines symbols and flow lines, to show figuratively the operation of an algorithm.
SYMBOLS
OF FLOW CHART
There are some basic symbols commonly used in flowcharting of assembly language programs i.e. Terminal,Process, input/output, Decision, Connector and Predefined process etc. This is not a complete list of all the possible flowcharting symbols, it is the ones used most often in the structure of assembly language programming.
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GENERAL RULES FOR WRITING FLOW CHART
There are following rules for writing flowchart:
- All boxes of the flow chart are connected with arrows (not lines)
- Flow chart symbols have an entry point on the top of the symbol with no other entry points. The exit point for all flow chart symbol is on the bottom except for the decision symbol.
- The decision symbol has two exit points: these can be on the sides or the bottom and one side.
- Generally, a flow chart will flow from top to bottom. However, an upward flow can be shown as long as it does not exceed 3 symbols.
- Connectors are used to connect breaks in the flow chart. Example are-
(ii)From the bottom of the page to the top of the same page.
· Subroutines and Interrupt
programs have their own and independent flow charts.
· All flow charts start with a
terminal symbol.
·All flow charts end with a
terminal symbol.
Flow charting uses symbols that have been in use for a number
of years to represent the type of operations and/or process
being performed. The standardized format provides a
common method for people to visualize problems together in
the same manner. The use of standardized symbols makes the
flow charts easier to interpret however standardizing symbols
is not as important as the sequence of activities that make up
the process.
FLOWCHARTING TIPS
· Chart the process the way, it is really occurring. Do not document the way a written process or a manager thinks the process happens.
·
People typically modify existing
processes to enable a more efficient process. If the desired or theoretical
process is charted, problems with the existing process will not be recognized
and no improvements can be made.
·
Sometimes when a process requires
to be repeated again and again it can be
put in a loop.
Examples of Algorithms
and Flow charts :
Example 01. A flow chart to find the addition of two numbers.
Example 02. A flow chart to find the multiplication of three number.
Example 03. Draw a flow chart to calculate
the Perimeter of a rectangle.
LOOP AND COUNTER
If you want to print your name 100 times, the flow chart will be
very long. For this purpose, you need to repeat the printing
process 100 times. This repetition is called looping.
In looping, a counter is used to count the number of times a
process being repeated. A counter is a variable and keeps
records of each print. It gets incremented after every
repetition. The program checks the value of the every time,
before next repetition.
Example 01. Design an algorithm and the corresponding flow chart for adding
the test scores as given below:
26, 49, 98, 87, 62, 75
Advantages of Flowchart
- 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.
- Although a flowchart is a very useful tool, there are a few limitations in using flowcharts which are listed below:
- 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.