Flowchart

 

An Introduction to Flowcharts

A flowchart is a visual representation of a process, system, or algorithm. It uses standardized shapes and arrows to map out the steps involved, making it easy to understand the flow of information and decision-making. Imagine it as a roadmap for your logic, laid out in a way that anyone can follow.

Why to use flowcharts?

Flowcharts are valuable tools because of following important reasons:

• Clarity in communication: They break down complex processes into simple, visual steps, making them easier to understand for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Problem-solving: Flowcharts can help you identify and analyze potential problems or bottlenecks in your process.
• Planning and documentation: They provide a clear roadmap for planning and executing a process, and serve as valuable documentation for future reference.
• Improved efficiency: By visualizing the flow, you can identify areas for optimization and eliminate unnecessary steps.
• Collaboration: Flowcharts facilitate better communication and collaboration within teams, as they provide a shared understanding of the process.

Applications of flowcharts:

• Software development: Flowcharts are used to design and document algorithms and programs.
• Project management: They help plan and track projects, identifying key milestones and dependencies.
• Business analysis: They aid in understanding and documenting business processes.
• Education: They are used to teach concepts in a visual and engaging way.

Basic elements of a flowchart:

• Start/End symbol: An oval shape indicating the beginning and end of the process.
• Process/Action symbol: A rectangle outlining a specific action or step taken.
• Decision symbol: A diamond shape representing a point where a decision needs to be made, usually with two or more arrows leading out based on the possible outcomes.
• Input/Output symbol: A parallelogram signifying either data entering the process (input) or data leaving the process (output).
• Connector: Lines and arrows connecting the different symbols, showing the direction of the flow.

Flowchart Symbols: Each flowchart represents a solution to a given problem definition. It is prepared using following common symbols:

Figure: Flowchart Symbols

Basic Flowchart Template

Figure: Basic Flowchart

Explanation of Basic Flowchart Template

Step-1: Start

Step-2: Begin your process 1

Step-3: Take decision (Check some condition)

Step-4: Based on answer from Step-3, execute Process 2 or Process 3. If answer of step 3 is No, execute Process 2 and repeat Step-2, 3 and 4; otherwise execute Process 3

Step-5: End

EXAMPLE OF FLOWCHART

• Flowchart to check Odd or Even number

Flowchart Examples

1.Draw flowchart to check Positive Number.

2.Draw flowchart to check negative number.

3.Draw Flowchart to check Odd or Even Number.

ODD EVEN FLOWCHART

Following flowchart will read a number from user. This number is checked using % operator to find whether it is odd or even.

4.Draw flowchart to display Good morning message based on given time.

5.Flowchart to print A to Z.

Flowchart to print A to Z using Raptor Tool.

Output of the Flowchart when executed 

using Raptor tool:

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, 

----Run complete.  107 symbols evaluated.----

6.Flowchart to check prime number

PRIME NUMBER

" a whole number greater than 1 that cannot be 

exactly divided by any whole number other 

than itself and 1 (e.g. 2, 3, 5, 7, 11)."

Prime numbers are very useful in cryptography.

FLOWCHART TO CHECK A PRIME NUMBER

Following flowchart is prepared using 

a RAPTOR software.