Page 104 - Computer science 868 Class 12
P. 104
3.3.2 Flowcharts
A flowchart is a visual program design tool in which the symbols describe
the operations to be performed. The symbols are represented in a sequence
of steps. The steps are connected by lines or arrows which represent the
direction of flow of the process. Like algorithm and pseudo code, it is only
used for planning and documentation.
Definition
A flowchart is a pictorial representation of an algorithm using standard symbols.
In a flowchart, each step is represented using symbols. So, before we learn how to draw a flowchart, we need to know
about the flowchart symbols. The symbols are tabulated below:
Symbol Purpose
The oval-shaped start/stop symbol is used to represent the
START/STOP beginning/end of a flowchart.
The parallelogram-shaped input/output box represents an input
INPUT/OUTPUT operation like accepting data from the keyboard or an output
operation like displaying the result on a monitor respectively.
The rectangle-shaped process box is used to represent arithmetic
PROCESS BOX or assignment operations carried out internally.
The diamond-shaped decision box is used to check the condition.
DECISION It has one input and two outputs representing the actions to be
BOX taken for two outcomes true and false.
The four arrows represent the flow lines which show the direction
of the flow of the process.
FLOW LINES
The on-page connectors allow the flowchart to be drawn
neatly, without intersecting lines. They are used in pairs – one
ON PAGE denoting the end of a step and the other the continuation. The
CONNECTOR pairs are represented by an alphabet written inside the circle.
The off-page connectors are used to join symbols on another
OFF PAGE page. These connectors are also used in pairs.
CONNECTORS
102102 Touchpad Computer Science-XII

