Updated April 4, 2023
Definition of System Flow Diagram
The system flow diagram is one of the graphical representations of the flow of data in a system in software engineering. The diagram consists of several steps that identify where the input is coming to the system and output going out of the system. With the help of the diagram, it is possible to control the event decisions of the system and how data is flowing to the system. Therefore, the system flow diagram is basically a visual representation of data flow, excluding the minor parts and including the major parts of the system in a sequential manner.
Why System Flow Diagram is Needed?
It is just like a data flow diagram that includes all the major steps of the flow of data in a system in a systematic and sequential manner and it is required because of its varieties of uses.
- It provides a visual representation of data that non-IT people get benefitted from its understanding part without requiring any special technical skills and it is very easier to show the loops and branches in a diagrammatic way and the conditions of the branches so that it is easily comprehensible for the user than using complex algorithms or pseudo-codes.
- We require a system flow diagram to detect the flaws of a system and to find the solution and then execute the solution in very easy and sequential steps that are major and excluding the minor ones that are less necessary.
- A system flow diagram is also required for large-scale industries that helps in visualizing all the major problems of the system and how to find effective solutions from that. The diagram also helps in understanding the flow of a process in a sequential manner, where the solution is going based on conditions and find the bottlenecks from it.
- We need a system flow diagram for quick communication among programmers, helping in the analysis of all valid inputs into the system, provides efficient coding to denote where and what data is using up for the system, and helps in debugging the data that can cause potential damage to the system.
Explain the System Flow Diagram
It is basically designed in the following ways for the programmer as well as the user can easily understand the problems and find out the potential outcomes from it.
- A system flow diagram consists of various steps in a sequential manner and the diagrams consist of various symbols that help in visualizing and understanding the process and data flow in the system. The diagram or the entire process starts with an oval-shaped symbol that depicts the beginning of the process or the starting point. It is basically drawn from the top of the page and continues to the bottom using various symbols.
- The starting point is labeled as Start and labeling of other parts is also done in such a way that it means something for the process and depicts that which is doing what for the system.
- For the next step, the oval-shaped symbol is followed by drawing a rectangle, and labeling is done on the basis of that. Each and every step has its own representation and is used according to it.
- All the data inputs and output of the system are denoted by using a parallelogram and labeling is done.
- Arrows are used for connection between steps, to show the direction of flow of the process. The arrows are necessary to show the direction in which data is flowing and it is for a physical representation of data.
- Diamond symbols are used to represent the branching decisions or the condition in which a previous step depends upon. The next step of the process depends on the decision or the branching factor that is followed from the previous step.
- Rectangular symbols are drawn on the basis of the steps that are followed by decision points, labeling is doing according to that and also arrows are used to provide the way in which data is flowing and what are the steps followed by the next step.
- Labeling of flows of the diagram is necessary for correct representation and arrows to help in making decisions and to provide what solutions will be followed after that.
- Finally, an oval-shaped or rounded rectangle is used that is labeled as End that depicts the last step or the end of the whole process.
Benefits of System Flow Diagram
It provides a lot of benefits to the user as well for the organizations by its visual representations and the overall process in a sequential manner.
- System flow diagrams are used by various engineers and programmers to visualize the decisions and possible outcomes from the system helping the system designers to design according to it.
- System flow diagrams use symbols that are very easy to understand for the end-users in which the process is flowing and decisions are taken.
- The diagrams help in visualizing the major inputs for a system that takes into account and produces the major output using major steps that is beneficial for the organization for their requirements of the system.
- System flow diagrams are used by many popular organizations for their business purposes because it is very easy to understand by using symbols that eliminates the complexity of using complex process or codes that are mainly seen using a complex algorithm or in pseudo-codes.
- The data inputs of a flow diagram are basically a keyboard or a mouse or different sensors and the output through which we get to see is a monitor or a printer.
- Various real-life applications like automatic washing machine, airline booking system uses system flow diagrams that provide efficient handling of all steps of a process of a system.
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