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Flowchart Elements
Flowchart is a diagrammatic representation of sequence of logical steps of a program. Flowcharts use simple geometric shapes to depict processes and arrows to show relationships and process/data flow.
Flowchart Symbols
Here is a chart for some of the common symbols used in drawing flowcharts. Symbol Symbol Name Purpose Start/Stop Used at the beginning and end of the algorithm to show start and end of the program. Process Indicates processes like mathematical operations. Input/ Output Used for denoting program inputs and outputs. Decision Stands for decision statements in a program, where answer is usually Yes or No. Arrow Shows relationships between different shapes. On-page Connector Connects two or more parts of a flowchart, which are on the same page.
Off-page Connector Connects two parts of a flowchart which are spread over different pages.
Guidelines for Developing Flowcharts
These are some points to keep in mind while developing a flowchart − Flowchart can have only one start and one stop symbol On-page connectors are referenced using numbers Off-page connectors are referenced using alphabets General flow of processes is top to bottom or left to right Arrows should not cross each other
Example Flowcharts
Here is the flowchart for going to the market to purchase a pen. With this background let’s start drawing
Advantages of Flowchart
Flowcharts are beneficial in many ways in program planning. Let’s discuss the advantages of flowchart:
- Better Communication
- Effective Analysis
- Effective Synthesis
- Efficient Coding
- Proper Documentation
- Efficient Program Maintenance
Better Communication
Since a flowchart is a pictorial representation of a program, it is easier for a programmer to explain the logic of the program to some other programmer through a flowchart rather than the program itself. A Flowchart can be used as a better way of communicating the logic of a system and steps involved in the solution, to all concerned particularly to the client of the system.
Effective Analysis
The whole program can be analyzed effectively through the flowchart as it clearly specifies the flow of the steps constituting the program. A flowchart of a problem can be used for effective analysis of the problem.
Effective Synthesis
If a problem is divided into different modules and the solution for each module is represented in flowcharts separately, they can finally be placed together to visualize the overall system design.
Efficient Coding
Once a flowchart is ready, programmers find it very easy to write the concerned program because the flowchart acts as a road map for them. It guides them to go from the starting point of the program to the final point ensuring that no steps are omitted.
Proper Documentation
Program flowcharts are a vital part of good program documentation. Program document is used for various purposes like knowing the components in the program, the complexity of the program, etc.
Efficient Program Maintenance
Once a program is developed and becomes operational it needs time to time maintenance. With help of a flowchart, maintenance becomes easier.
Disadvantages of Flowcharts
In spite of their many obvious advantages, flowcharts have some limitations:
- Time Consuming
- Difficult to Show Branching and Looping
- It is Visualization Program
Time Consuming
Flowcharts are very time-consuming and laborious to draw with proper symbols and spacing, especially for large complex algorithms.
Difficult to Show Branching and Looping
Difficult to alter the flowchart. Sometimes, the designer needs to redraw the complete flowchart to change the logic of the flowchart or to alter the flowchart. Owing to the symbol-string nature of flowcharting, any change or modification in the logic of the algorithm usually requires a completely new flowchart.
It is Visualization Program
It is just a visualization of a program, it cannot function as an actual program. There are no standards determining the amount of detail that should be included in a flowchart.
FAQ About Advantages and Disadvantages
of Flowcharts
Here is a flowchart to calculate the average of two numbers.
Print 1 to 10 numbers START N = 0 N < = 10 Print N N = N + 1 STOP
Here is a flowchart which prints greater of two numbers entered by user. START Enter/ Take two number A,B Declare variables A,B Check If A > B Print/ Display A Print / Display B YES NO STOP
