A flowchart is a graphic or pictorial representation of the steps necessary to solve problem, complete a process, accomplish a task or illustrate the components of a system.

What is a Flowchart?

A program flowchart represents the information processing steps to be performed within a computer system.

The basic types of flowcharts are system flowcharts and program flowcharts

A system flowchart is representation of the components and flows in a system.

Name Symbol Uses in flowchartOval Represent the beginning or

end of a program.

Flow line Represent the direction of logic flow in a program

Parallelogram Represent either an input operation or an output operation.

Rectangle Represent a process to be carried out.

Diamond Represent a decision to be made.

Flowchart symbols:

Example:

Compare A and B and find greater:

Start

Input: A,B

A>B

Output: A Output: B

End

yes no

Find the sum: 1+2+3+…..+N

Start

Input: NSum=0

I=1

I>N Output: Sum

Sum=Sum+II=I+1

End

yes

no

Use of flowchartSometimes it's more effective to visualize something graphically that it is to describe it with words. That is the essence of what flowcharts do for us. Flowcharts explain a process clearly through symbols and text. Moreover, flowcharts give you the gist of the process flow in a single glance. The following are some of the more salient reasons to use flowcharts.

Programming:Information technology played a big influence on the use and spread of flowcharts in the 20th century. While Dr. W. Edwards Deming was advocating their use in quality management, professionals in the data processing world were using them to flesh out their programming logic. Flowcharts were a mainstay of procedural programming, however, and with the advent of object oriented programming and various modeling tools, the use of flowcharts for programming is no longer as commonplace as it once was.

That said, even within the scope of object oriented programming, complex program logic can be modeled effectively using a flowchart. Moreover, diagramming the user's experience as they navigate through a program is a valuable prerequisite prior to designing the user interface. So flowcharts still have their place in the world of programming.

Process Documentation / Training Materials:

Another common use for flowcharts is to create process documentation. Although this reason overlaps with regulatory and quality management requirements (below), many non-regulated businesses use flowcharts for their documentation as well. These can range in form from high-level procedures to low-level, detailed work instructions.

Advantages of flowchart:

It provides a clear overview of the entire program and problem and Solution.

It checks the accuracy in logic flow.

It provides an easy way of communication because any other person besides the programmer can understand the way they are represented.

It represents the data flow.

It documents the steps followed in an algorithm.

It provides the facility for coding.

It provides the way of modification of running program.

They shows all major elements and their relationship.