Flow Charts

Flow charts A flowchart is a schematic (idea of doing something) representation of a process. They are commonly used in Computer Science to help the audience visualize the content better, or to find flaws in the process.

How they work Flow charts are used to show how a program will work. The start and end points, inputs, outputs, possible paths and the decisions that lead to these possible paths are included.

Symbols A typical flowchart from older Computer Science textbooks may have the following kinds of symbols:

Start/End Start and end symbols, represented as rounded rectangles, usually containing the word "Start" or "End", or another phrase signaling the start or end of a process, such as "submit enquiry" or "receive product".

Arrow Arrows, showing what's called "flow of control" in computer science. An arrow coming from one symbol and ending at another symbol represents that control passes to the symbol the arrow points to.

Processing Processing steps, represented as rectangles. Here all the work is done.

Input/Output, represented as a parallelogram. This is the total outcome of the processed step.

Decisions Conditional or decision, represented as a diamond. These typically contain a Yes/No question or True/False questions. This has two arrows coming out of it, usually from the bottom point and right point: one corresponding to Yes or True, and one corresponding to No or False. The arrows should always be labeled.

Others A number of other symbols that have less universal currency, such as:  A Document represented as a rectangle with a wavy base;  A Manual input represented by rectangle, with the top irregularly sloping up from left to right. An example would be to signify data-entry from a form;  A Manual operation represented by a parallelogram with the longest parallel side up most, to represent an operation or adjustment to process that can only be made manually.

Connectors Flowcharts may contain other symbols, such as connectors, usually represented as circles, to represent converging paths in the flow chart. Circles will have more than one arrow coming into them but only one going out. Some flow charts may just have an arrow point to another arrow instead. These are useful to represent an iterative process (a loop). A loop may, for example, consist of a connector where control first enters, processing steps, a conditional with one arrow exiting the loop, and one going back to the connector. Off-page connectors are often used to signify a connection to a (part of a) process held on another sheet or screen.

Four particular types of flow charts have proven useful when dealing with a process analysis: top- down flow chart, detailed flow chart, work flow diagrams, and a deployment chart. Each of the different types of flow charts tend to provide a different aspect to a process or a task. Flow charts provide an excellent form of documentation for a process, and quite often are useful when examining how various steps in a process work together.

Process of How to use Them Gather information of how the process flows: use conservation with others and tap into their experiences. Set up a trail process flow. (Initial stages) Check for accuracy. (Review) Make changes if necessary. (Refine) Compare final actual flow with problem you are trying to solve. Does it all work out?

Flow chart examples: Examples to work on: If a lamp is not working. Instructions for assembling a Computer from scratch. If you are not sure what goes into a computer look it up. (all of you should know what are the most important parts) How you complete your day at school. Starting at home and arriving back at home. How to purchase a DVD at the store starting from your house. Include alternative transportation in your work. How you would design a game of Warm/Cool or High/Low.