A flowchartAlso known as a flow diagram. A diagram that shows the step-by-step flow of an algorithm. is a diagram that shows an overview of a programSequences of instructions for a computer. Flow diagrams normally use standard symbols to represent the different types of instructionA single action that can be performed by a computer processor.. These symbols are used to construct the flowchart and show the step-by-step solution to the problem. Flow diagrams are sometimes known as flowcharts.
Common flow diagram symbols
Flow diagrams can be used to plan out programs. This simple flow diagram maps out an algorithmA sequence of logical instructions for carrying out a task. In computing, algorithms are needed to design computer programs. for a program that prints the numbers 1 to 10:
Advantages and disadvantages of using flow diagrams
Designing an algorithm using flow diagrams has benefits:
It is easy to see how a program flows. For example, where does following one path as opposed to another take the program?
Flow diagrams follow an international standardAn agreed way of doing things. - it鈥檚 easy for any flow diagram user to pick up a diagram and understand it.
Flow diagrams also have their disadvantages:
with a large program, the diagrams can become huge in size and unwieldy to follow
any changes to the design may mean a lot of the diagram has to be redrawn