3.2 Flowcharts

• Flowchart is a more visual way of presenting an algorithm and may be easier to understand than a long series of steps.
• Each step is represented by a symbol and the order in which steps are followed is shown using flow lines or arrows.

3.2.1 Flowchart Symbols

Name

Shape

Description

Terminator

It represents the beginning or end of a set of steps

Contains either the START or STOP/END

Data

Represents input with INPUT command or output with OUTPUT command

Decision

Represents a step involving a question

Outgoing arrows represent possible outcomes (either "Yes" or "No")

Process

Represents a Step involving an action or operation.

Usually involves changing the value of a variable or performing more complex actions

3.2.2 Flowchart Structure

1. Flowcharts must start with 1 terminator symbol but can end in 1 or more terminator symbols
2. Each symbol (except for the terminator symbols) should have 1 entry point and 1 exit points (2 for decision symbols)
3. Flow lines SHOULD NOT CROSS OVER ONE ANOTHER

3.3 Trace Tables