Algorithms and Flowcharts

Advantages of flowcharts over algorithms

1. Most programmers find flowcharts easier to draw and perceive 2. Flowcharts have better standardization as compared to algorithms.

4 limitations of a flowchart

1.Some tasks or processes are too hard to express in a flowchart. 2. If alteration needs to be made, the whole flowchart might need to be redrawn. 3.People need to know what the different symbols of a flowchart mean, this can take quite a while 4.It is time consuming to draw a flowchart

Advantages of algorithms over flowcharts

1. Writing an algorithm is time consuming 2. Alterations can be made easily and does not need the whole structure to be redone

10 benefits of a flowchart

1.Good way to communicate details of a task to others 2.Excellent way of documenting each stage in the process 3.Help people analyse problems or bottlenecks in the process 4.When a new system is being developed, a flowchart can act as a guide for the programmer 5.Easier to understand 6.Flowcharts are used for deciding the initial planning of a project 7.Can be broken down to smaller processes 8.Makes programming easy 9.Less time is consumed to draw a flowchart 10.Testing and debugging is easy

7 benefits of an algorithm

1.Helps to decide strategy 2.Useful reference 3.Can be transferred into any computer language 4.Easy to debug 5.Reuse 6.No proper syntax (no specific rules of writing) 7.Non-standard representation

Algorithms

A step-by-step procedure of how to do something. They can be rewritten easily.

Flowcharts

A step-by-step procedure written in differently shaped bubbles. If they need to be rewritten, it can be very hard, as you might have to do the whole thing all over again.

circle shape in a flowchart

Called Connector and allows the flowchart to be drawn without intersecting the flow lines or without a reverse flow.

Diamond shape symbol in a flowchart

Called Decision and means that you have reached a point where you have to make a decision (yes/no, true/false)

Arrows in a flowchart

Called Flow lines and direct you to which step/decision to go to next.

Parallelogram shape in a flowchart

Called Input/Output and tells you what you will need for the procedures/ what will/should be your result of the procedures.

Square with an equally wide arrow connected to it.

Called Off-page connector and shows the reader that the flowchart will continue on the next page.

Rectangle with two straight lines nearby the short ends in a flowchart

Called Pre-defined process and is used to call an interrupt program or a sub-program.

Rectangle shape in a flowchart

Called Process and shows a processing step.

Oval shape symbol in a flowchart

Called Terminal and means that you are at either the beginning or end of a flowchart.