FLOWCHART AND ITS SYMBOLS

What is a flowchart?

Flow chart is the diagrammatic representation of problem and algorithm to its solution that uses the symbols connected by flow lines.

The different symbols denote different types of instruction. And flow lines represent process and the direction of the flow within the program. It is called flowchart because it charts the flow of program. The flowchart is basically used as an aid in expressing and understanding algorithm. The flowchart is quite useful for the programmer and the systems analyst.

SYMBOLS USED IN FLOW CHART

There are different symbols that are used in flowchart. The symbols used in flowcharts specify some meaning. These symbols have been adopted by the American national standard destitute. The important symbols used in flowchart are as follows.

1. The Terminator Symbol: The terminator symbol is represented by rectangle with rounded ends. It indicates the start and stop of the flow chart.

2.  Input Output Symbols: The input output symbols are represented by is represented by parallelogram. It represents an input output operation in flowchart.

3.  Decision Symbols: The decision symbol is represented by diamond. It is used to check condition whether it is true or false. Depending upon the condition the program branches into directions.

4.  Process: The rectangle is used to represents processing algorithm. It indicates any processing operation such as calculation, processing and storage etc.

5.  Connector Symbols: The connector symbols are represented by circle, and it brings together two branches of the program. The connector connects various pages of long flowcharts, which are spread on many pages.

6. Predefined Process Symbols: It is used to represents a module of program that has been already defined by another flowchart.

7.   Document: This represents any document on paper.

8. Dataflow Symbol: These symbols are used to indicate the flow of operation. A flow symbol also connects other symbols in a flowchart and the sequence of their execution. The default direction is from top to bottom and left to right, but if there is any reverse direction the arrow must be used.

Flowchart Symbols