A flowchart is a graphical representation of a process or program that shows the steps as boxes of various kinds, and their order by connecting them with arrows. It uses standard symbols like circles, boxes, diamonds, and arrows to represent actions, decisions, connections, and flow direction in a program or process. Common symbols are terminals, processes, decisions, inputs/outputs, and predefined processes. Guidelines for effective flowcharting include having a clear start and end, logical sequence, single flow lines connecting symbols, and avoiding intersecting lines.

1. WHAT IS A
FLOWCHART?

2. • Graphical representation of a step by
step program.
• Flowchart are another way to outline
your program.
• A diagrammatic or graphical
representation that illustrates the
sequence of operations to be performed
to get the solution of a problem.

3. TYPES OF FLOWCHART
• Program Flowchart
• System Flowchart

4. FLOWCHARTING SYMBOLS
• TERMINAL SYMBOL (OVAL)
-Elongated circles, which signify the
start or end of a process.

5. PROCESS SYMBOL
• This symbol represents any single process in
an algorithm. It includes mathematical
functions and other things of that nature.

6. DECISION SYMBOL
• This symbol used when a program needs
to make a decision.

7. INPUT/OUTPUT SYMBOL
• This symbol represents input coming from
the keyboard, a file, or elsewhere, or the
information is being written to a disk or the
screen.

8. PREPARATION SYMBOL
• This is also known as a decision symbol,
and used to indicate the beginning of a
repetition pattern or structure in a process.

9. PREDEFINED PROCESS SYMBOL
• This symbol is specialized process symbol
that represents a named operation of
programmed step not explicitly detailed in
the program flowchart.

10. On page connector
• This is a non-processing symbol, which is
used to connect one part of a flowchart to
another without drawing flow lines.

11. Flow Direction Indicators
(Arrowheads)
• Arrowheads are used to show the direction
of processing or data flow. These are added
to flow lines if a flowchart appears
confusing in its layout.

12. Guidelines in Flowcharting
1. A flowchart should always begin with a
start symbol and is completed by an end
symbol.
2. The flowchart should be clear, neat, and
easy to follow.
3. The sequence of symbols is important. It
indicates the step by step logic to follow.
4. The flow lines indicate the direction to be
followed. The direction of the flow of a
procedure is from left to right or top to
bottom.

13. 5. Only one flow line is used in connection
with terminal symbol.
6. Only one flow line should come out from
the preparation, input/ output, and
process symbols.
7. Only one flow line should enter a decision
symbol, but two or three flow lines, one
for each possible selection or answer,
should leave the decision symbol.
8. A flowchart may contain as many
symbols as necessary in the solution of
the problem.

14. 9. There may be varied flowcharts to solve
one problem. There is no one correct
flowchart.
10.A flowchart is efficient if it is clear,
simple, and contains the least possible
number of symbols to solve the problem.
11.If a flowchart becomes complex, use
connector symbols to reduce the number
of flow lines. Avoid intersecting flow lines
to make it more effective and easier to
follow.

15. 12.Make sure that the flowchart has a
logical start and end.
13.It is always useful to test the validity of
the flowchart by passing through it within
a simple test data.

16. ASSIGNMENT
Cite 5 examples of flowcharting. Draw each
example in a yellow paper.