Application Data Diagrams and Flowcharts
Application Data Diagrams and Flowcharts
Accounting Information
System
DATA FLOW
DIAGRAM
Data Flow Diagram
Also known as DFD, Data flow diagrams are used to graphically represent the
flow of data in a business information system. DFD describes the processes
that are involved in a system to transfer data from the input to the file
storage and reports generation.
Data flow diagrams can be divided into logical and physical. The logical data
flow diagram describes flow of data through a system to perform certain
functionality of a business. The physical data flow diagram describes the
implementation of the logical data flow.
The four basic symbol
used to represent a
data-flow diagram
Data Flow Diagram
Process
• A process receives input data and produces output with a different content
or form. Processes can be as simple as collecting input data and saving in
the database, or it can be complex as producing a report containing
monthly sales of all retail stores in the northwest region.
Example:
• Apply Payment
• Calculate Commission
• Verify Order
Data Flow Diagram
Data Flow
• A data-flow is a path for data to move from one part of the information
system to another. A data-flow may represent a single data element such
the Customer ID or it can represent a set of data element (or a data
structure).
Example:
• Customer_info (LastName, FirstName, SS#, Tel #, etc.)
• Order_info (OrderId, Item#, OrderDate, CustomerID, etc.).
Data Flow Diagram
Data Store
• A data store or data repository is used in a data-flow diagram to represent
a situation when the system must retain data because one or more
processes need to use the stored data in a later time.
Notation
• Data can be written into the data store, which is depicted by an outgoing
arrow
• Data can be read from a data store, which is depicted by an incoming
arrow.
• Examples are: inventory, Accounts receivables, Orders, and Daily Payments.
Data Flow Diagram
External Entity
• An external entity is a person, department, outside organization, or other
information system that provides data to the system or receives outputs
from the system. External entities are components outside of the
boundaries of the information systems. They represent how the information
system interacts with the outside world.
DFD Example
Data Flow Diagram
Of Sales Ordering
Processing System
FLOW CHART
Flowchart
sum = 0
• A flowchart is a diagram
that depicts the “flow” of a
program. Enter 10, 20
STOP
FLOWCHART START
sum = 0
TERMINALS
Enter 10, 20
• represented by rounded
rectangles
• indicate a starting or ending sum = 10 + 20
point
Print sum
STOP
FLOWCHART START
sum = 0
INPUT / OUTPUT OPERATIONS
Print sum
STOP
FLOWCHART START
sum = 0
PROCESSES
Print sum
STOP
Symbols Description
Start/End
Denotes the beginning or ending point of a program.
Flow Line
Denotes the direction of logic flow in a program. It used to connect one symbol to the
next symbol
Input/Output
Denotes information entering or leaving the system either an input operation or output
operation
Action or Process
Represents a process to be carried out or a computation for mathematical formula.
Flowchart
The flowchart segment shows
how a decision structure is NO YES
expressed in programming x < y?
languages as an if/else
statement. Do Do
something something
Print Output
DECISION STRUCTURE
Flowchart
The flowchart segment below
shows a decision structure NO YES
with only one action to x < y?
perform.
Do
something
Print Output
REPETITION STRUCTURE
YES
x < y? Add 1 to x
Print Output
CASE STRUCTURE
1 2 3 Other / Default
NO YES
This flowchart segment x > min?
shows two decision
structures combined. Do something NO YES
x < max?
Do something Do something
Print Output
Flowchart
Log in to Facebook Account
Flowchart
START
Input
www.facebook.com
Input Email
Address and
Password Log in Error
Display YES NO
Is Email Add
Account and Password
Correct?
STOP