FLOWCHARTS FOR ALGORITHMS
Algorithms and flowcharts are two different ways of presenting the
process of solving a problem. Algorithms consist of a set of steps for
solving a particular problem, while in flowcharts; those steps are
usually displayed in shapes and process boxes with arrows. So
flowcharts can be used for presenting algorithms.
Rules of Drawing Flowcharts for Algorithms
There are some basic shapes and boxes included in flowcharts that are used in the
structure of explaining steps of algorithms. Knowing how to use them while drawing
flowcharts is crucial. Here are some rules that should be known:
1. All boxes of flowcharts are connected with arrows to show the logical connection
between them,
2. Flowcharts will flow from top to bottom,
3. All flowcharts start with a Start Box and end with a Terminal Box,
Symbols Used In Flowchart
Different symbols are used for different states in flowchart, For example: Input/Output and decision
making has different symbols. The table below describes all the symbols that are used in making
flowchart
Symbol Purpose Description
Used to indicate the flow of logic by connecting
Flow line
symbols.
Symbol Purpose Description
Terminal(Stop/Start) Used to represent start and end of flowchart.
Input/Output Used for input and output operation.
Used for airthmetic operations and data-
Processing
manipulations.
Used to represent the operation in which there are
Decision
two alternatives, true and false.
On-page Connector Used to join different flowline
Used to connect flowchart portion on different
Off-page Connector
page.
Predefined Used to represent a group of statements
Process/Function performing one processing task.
EXAMPLES OF FLOWCHARTS FOR
ALGORITHMS
These examples will help you get a better understanding of flowchart techniques.
Example 1: Calculate the Interest of a Bank Deposit
Algorithm:
Step 1: Read amount,
Step 2: Read years,
Step 3: Read rate,
Step 4: Calculate the interest with formula "Interest=Amount*Years*Rate/100
Step 5: Print interest,
Flowchart:
Example 2: Determine and Output Whether Number N is Even or Odd
Algorithm:
Step 1: Read number N,
Step 2: Set remainder as N modulo 2,
Step 3: If remainder is equal to 0 then number N is even, else number N is odd,
Step 4: Print output.
Flowchart:
Example 3: Determine Whether a Temperature is Below or Above the Freezing
Point
Algorithm:
Step 1: Input temperature,
Step 2: If it is less than 32, then print "below freezing point", otherwise print
"above freezing point"
Flowchart:
Example 4: Determine Whether A Student Passed the Exam or Not:
Algorithm:
Step 1: Input grades of 4 courses M1, M2, M3 and M4,
Step 2: Calculate the average grade with formula "Grade=(M1+M2+M3+M4)/4"
Step 3: If the average grade is less than 60, print "FAIL", else print "PASS".
Flowchart:
Example 5: Draw a flowchart to add two numbers entered by user.
Example 6: Draw flowchart to find the largest among three different numbers
entered by user.
Example 7: Draw a flowchart to find all the roots of a quadratic equation
ax2+bx+c=0
Example 8: Draw a flowchart to find the Fibonacci series till term≤1000.
Though, flowchart are useful in efficient coding, debugging and analysis of a program,
drawing flowchart in very complicated in case of complex programs and often ignored.
OTHER WAYS OF FLOWCHARTING DESIGN &
EXAMPLE
