A program flowchart is a graphical representation of the logical flow of a computer program or algorithm. It uses standardized symbols and diagrams to illustrate the sequence of steps, decisions, and data processing within a program. Flowcharts are a valuable tool for visualizing and designing the structure of a program before or during the coding process. They are widely used in software development, system analysis, and process documentation. Here are some key elements of program flowcharts:
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Start and End Symbols: A flowchart typically begins with a “Start” symbol and ends with an “End” symbol, which mark the beginning and termination of the program.
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Process Symbols: These symbols represent specific actions or operations performed in the program. These can include calculations, data manipulation, and other tasks.
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Input/Output Symbols: Input and output symbols indicate where data is entered into the program or where results are displayed or output. Common symbols include parallelograms for inputs and rectangles for outputs.
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Decision Symbols: Decision or conditional symbols are used to represent points in the program where the flow branches based on a condition. Commonly, a diamond-shaped symbol is used for decisions, and arrows indicate the different paths.
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Flow Arrows: Arrows connect the various symbols, indicating the direction of the flow from one element to another. Arrows show the sequence in which actions are executed.