3. Flowcharts.

 

So, what exactly is a flowchart? Well, think of it as a visual roadmap for your algorithm.

3.1. Definition of a Flowchart

A flowchart is a diagram that uses symbols and shapes to represent the steps of an algorithm or process. It provides a graphical representation, making it easier to understand the flow of logic and the sequence of operations.

3.2. Flowchart Notations

To create flowcharts, we use specific symbols that represent different types of actions. Here are some basic symbols:

i.            Start/End: Represents the beginning or end of the algorithm. Typically shown as an oval shape.

ii.            Process: Represents a step or action in the algorithm. Typically shown as a rectangle.

iii.            Decision: Represents a point where a decision needs to be made. Typically shown as a diamond shape. This is where you have a "yes" or "no" question that determines the next step.

iv.            Input/Output: Represents data entering or leaving the algorithm. Typically shown as a parallelogram.

v.            Connector: Used to connect different parts of the flowchart, especially when it spans multiple pages or becomes too complex to draw on a single page. Typically shown as a circle.

vi.            Arrow lines: Show the direction of the flow of the algorithm. They connect the symbols to indicate the sequence of steps.

3.3. Examples of Flowcharts

Now, let’s take those algorithms we talked about earlier and represent them as flowcharts.

3.4. Advantages and Limitations of Flowcharts

Like algorithms themselves, flowcharts have advantages and limitations:

Advantages:

Easy to understand and visualize the flow of the algorithm:. Flowcharts provide a clear, visual representation, making it easier to grasp the overall logic.

Helpful for communicating the algorithm to others: They serve as a common language for discussing and explaining processes, even to those who aren’t familiar with programming.

Limitations:

Can become complex and difficult to manage for large algorithms. For very intricate processes, flowcharts can become cluttered and hard to follow.

Not easily translated into code: While flowcharts help visualize the logic, they aren’t directly convertible into programming code.

3.5. Comparison with Algorithms

So, how do flowcharts compare to the algorithms themselves?

Algorithms are textual, while flowcharts are graphical: Algorithms are expressed in text (like pseudocode or code), while flowcharts use diagrams.

Algorithms are more precise, while flowcharts are more intuitive:. Algorithms can be written with specific syntax and detail, whereas flowcharts focus on the overall flow and may omit some of the finer points.

Flowcharts can be helpful in the early stages of designing an algorithm, but they’re often used in conjunction with more formal methods like pseudocode or actual code. There is some evidence that subjects familiar with the use of directed graphs may be better at identifying the general area of failure and that flowcharts may clarify the description of conditional statements, without necessarily improving understanding of the underlying logic.