A flowchart is a picture of the separate steps of a process in sequential order that represents an algorithm, workflow or process, showing the steps as boxes of various kinds, and their order by connecting them with arrows. Flowcharts are used in analyzing, designing, documenting or managing a process or program in various fields for illustrating a solution model to a given problem.
A flowchart is a diagram constructed from connected shapes representing a process or a plan. Here is an example of a simple flowchart illustrating the process of withdrawing cash.
Traditionally, flowcharts originated in computer science as a tool for representing algorithms and computer programs, but the use of flowcharts has extended to the representation of all other kinds of processes. Nowadays, flowcharts play an extremely important role in displaying information and assisting reasoning. They help us visualize complex processes, or make explicit the structure of problems and tasks. A flowchart can also be used to define a process or project to be implemented.
In a standard flowchart, different shapes have different conventional meanings. The meanings of some of the more common shapes are as follows:
Terminator
The terminator symbol represents the starting or ending point of the system.
Process
A box indicates some particular operation.
Document
This represents a printout, such as a document or a report.
Decision
A diamond represents a decision or branching point. Lines coming out from the diamond indicates different possible situations, leading to different sub-processes.
Data
It represents information entering or leaving the system. An input might be an order from a customer. An output can be a product to be delivered.
On-Page Reference
This symbol would contain a letter inside. It indicates that the flow continues on a matching symbol containing the same letter somewhere else on the same page.
Off-Page Reference
This symbol would contain a letter inside. It indicates that the flow continues on a matching symbol containing the same letter somewhere else on a different page.
Delay or Bottleneck
Identifies a delay or a bottleneck.
Flow
Lines represent flow of the sequence and direction of a process.
