FOR SYBCA SEM 4 - DIV A - SE-II 2016

Introduction to flowcharting
The computer has no imagination or thinking of its own, every
logic or task that has to be performed to the computer is
detailed. For this purpose, we have to give some instructions to
the computer that is called programming.

Programming process:-
The set of detailed instructions which group the data
processing activities together that are to be performed by a
computer is called programs. The computer programming
process is the collection of these six phases.

1.Program Analysis: Before making programs, the analysis

of the system is done. This includes the inputs that are to
be taken, the processing and the outputs that are to be
generated. In this phase, it is also checked that if the
program worth making.

2.Program Design: In this phase; the program layout is

prepared by the system analyst and provided to the
programmer. This is done using flowcharts that shows the
flow of data, documents etc. very clearly.

3.Program Coding: In this phase, the implementation of

flowchart is done using any programming language. For
each language, there are separate set of instructions with
their respective syntax. Program coding is done in a way
that these three objectives are achieved:- simplicity,
efficient utilization of storage and least processing time.

4.Program debugging: After completion of program

coding, it is compiled and run. During this process, only
few errors can be traced. After elimination of these errors,
the program is put to use in real necessity. The logical

HETA J DESAI-BCA-SDJIC
 FOR SYBCA SEM 4 - DIV A - SE-II 2016

errors (bugs) that arise now are to be removed and this

process is known as debugging.

5.Program documentation: Program documentation is

done to provide explanation to the end user. This
includes:-
Program specification
Program description
The test data that is employed in debugging the
program.
The operation manual that lists operating instructions
for the operator.
The maintenance documentation that is required to
the person who has to make the necessary changes to
the program.

6.Program Maintenance: the changes are constantly

required in a business system and hence the program is
also required to be changed. For this, separate
programmers are required that are known as maintenance
programmers. Because of this purpose the programs that
ire written should be simple and self explanatory.

Types of Flow charts:-

1. System outline chart: These charts mainly list the broad

aspects of an application like structure, inputs, types of
files to processed without regard to any sequence of flow.
In these charts we mainly outline the work to be done in
an application.

2. System flow chart: These charts represent the logical

flow of all aspects of the data processing system in
HETA J DESAI-BCA-SDJIC
 FOR SYBCA SEM 4 - DIV A - SE-II 2016

graphical manner. Like in complete application of sales

department, to display the logical flow of sales order
processing systems and its interlinking with other
application, a systems flow chart is prepared.

3.Run flow chart: Since the system flowchart is a collection

of several processes, the run flow chart in fact represents
the future detailing of any particular process of system
flow chart.

4.Program flow chart: These flow charts are the most

detailed flow charts and are concerned with actual
logical/arithmetic operations on data within CPU & for flow
of data to various devices within application. These flow
charts are normally directly converted into programs with
the help of statements. These flow charts are normally
prepared by programmer for graphical solution of any
arithmetic and logical problems.
Here, mainly we have concern with program flowchart for
solving the problem. As we saw that flowcharting is the part of
program design and programs design phase comes after
program analysis, hence to dray any flowchart we should first
of all do the analysis of the problem for which we want to draw
the flowchart. i.e. the input required and the processing that
has to be applied to get the desired output.

System flowcharts : showing controls at a physical or

resource level

Program flowchart : showing the controls in a program

within a system

Flowchart

Definition: Flow charts can be defined as pictorial

representations of an algorithm by system analysts for
HETA J DESAI-BCA-SDJIC
 FOR SYBCA SEM 4 - DIV A - SE-II 2016

planning the procedure to solve a program. The diagram

includes the flow of process, relevant operations and
computations, point of decision and other information which is
a part of solution.
Symbols used in a flow charts:-

Start/End Symbol

Action or Process Symbol

Document Symbol

A printed document or report.

Multiple Documents Symbol

Represents multiple documents in the process.

HETA J DESAI-BCA-SDJIC
 FOR SYBCA SEM 4 - DIV A - SE-II 2016

Decision Symbol

A decision or branching point. Lines representing different

decisions emerge from different points of the diamond.

Input/Output Symbol

Represents material or information entering or leaving the

system, such as customer order (input) or a product (output).

Manual Input Symbol

Represents a step where a user is prompted to enter

information manually.

Preparation Symbol

Represents a set-up to another step in the process.

HETA J DESAI-BCA-SDJIC
 FOR SYBCA SEM 4 - DIV A - SE-II 2016

Or Symbol

Indicates that the process flow continues in more than two

branches.

Sort Symbol

Indicates a step that organizes a list of items into a sequence

or sets based on some pre-determined criteria.

Subroutine Symbol

Indicates a sequence of actions that perform a specific task

embedded within a larger process. This sequence of actions
could be described in more detail on a separate flowchart.

HETA J DESAI-BCA-SDJIC
 FOR SYBCA SEM 4 - DIV A - SE-II 2016

Manual Loop Symbol

Indicates a sequence of commands that will continue to repeat

until stopped manually.

Loop Limit Symbol

Indicates the point at which a loop should stop.

Delay Symbol

Indicates a delay in the process.

Data Storage or Stored Data Symbol

Indicates a step where data gets stored.

Database Symbol

HETA J DESAI-BCA-SDJIC
 FOR SYBCA SEM 4 - DIV A - SE-II 2016

Indicates a list of information with a standard structure that

allows for searching and sorting.

Internal Storage Symbol

Indicates that information was stored in memory during a

program, used in software design flowcharts.

Display Symbol

Indicates a step that displays information.

General guidelines to prepare Flowcharts:-

1.Listing all requirements in proper logical order and in

detail.
2.Must be maid clear, neat and easy to fallow in order to
have a good visual impact.
3.Use appropriate standard flowcharting symbols.
4.Make comparison instructions simple. Yes/No type.
5.Avoid intersections of lines, used to depict the flow of
logic.
HETA J DESAI-BCA-SDJIC
 FOR SYBCA SEM 4 - DIV A - SE-II 2016

6.Use connectors to reduce the number of flow lines.

Connectors are useful where the flow charts are several
pages long.
7.Check that the flowchart is logically correct and complete.
This process is technically known as debugging and is
done by using suitable test data.

Advantages of using flowcharts:-

1.Communication: flowcharts are a good visual aid for

communicating the logic of a system, to all
concerned.
2.Quicker group of relationship: with the help of flowcharts,
the relationship between the procedures can be identified
and understood easily.
3.Effective analysis and synthesis: before programming a
new system, the analysis is done effectively using
flowcharts. In a running system program, flowchart may
be used to combine old approaches with the new logics.
4.Efficient coding: with the help of flow chart the program
logic can be implemented in any programming language
for building up a new system.
5.Orderly debugging: the flowchart also helps in debugging
process i.e. it helps in detecting, locating and removing
mistakes.

Limitations of Flowcharts:-

1.Complex Logic: When the program logic is complex, the

flowcharts become lengthy and lack clarity in decision
table.
2.Alteration and Modification: If alterations are required,
the flowchart may require re-drawing completely.
3.Reproduction: As flowchart symbols cannot be typed,
reproduction of flowchart is often a problem.
HETA J DESAI-BCA-SDJIC
 FOR SYBCA SEM 4 - DIV A - SE-II 2016

4.Standardization: Though program flowcharts are easy to

follow, they are neither expressed completely in English,
nor ere they translated in programming languages.

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 FOR SYBCA SEM 4 - DIV A - SE-II 2016

HETA J DESAI-BCA-SDJIC
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