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Flowcharts

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Flowcharts (4.2)

Information Technology 9626

Symbols, Diagrammatic Representation, and Converting Algorithms to Flowcharts

Interactive Revision Notes with Self-Testing

What is a Flowchart?
Flowchart Symbols
Understanding Each Symbol
How to Draw a Flowchart
Converting Algorithms to Flowcharts
Multi-Page Flowcharts
Common Errors in Flowcharts
Summary and Review

1. What is a Flowchart?

Learning Objectives:

Understand what a flowchart is and its purpose
Know the difference between flowcharts and algorithms
Learn why flowcharts are useful
Understand program flowcharts vs system flowcharts

Definition of Flowchart

Program Flowchart: A diagrammatic way of representing an algorithm used to produce the solution to a problem. Flowcharts use symbols connected by arrows to show the path to be followed when working through the algorithm.

Flowchart vs Algorithm

Comparison:

Algorithm: Written in pseudocode (text-based)
Flowchart: Visual/diagrammatic representation (uses shapes)
Same logic: Both represent the same solution to a problem
Different format: One is text, the other is visual

Why Use Flowcharts?

Advantages of flowcharts:

Visual representation makes logic easier to understand
Shapes are universal (anyone can read them)
Easy to follow the flow with arrows
Good for spotting logical errors visually
Useful for explaining solutions to others

Program vs System Flowcharts

Program Flowchart: Shows the algorithm logic using standard symbols. This is what we study in AS.

System Flowchart: Shows how data flows through an entire system (computers, files, people). This is covered in A2.

Focus in this chapter: Program flowcharts only.

2. Flowchart Symbols

Standard Flowchart Symbols

Flowcharts use standardized symbols. Each shape has a specific meaning. Learning these symbols is essential for reading and drawing flowcharts.

Start/Stop

⬭

Terminator/Oval
Shows where flowchart begins (START) or ends (STOP)

Input/Output

◰

Parallelogram
Represents INPUT or PRINT statement

Process

▭

Rectangle
Calculation or assignment (contains ← symbol)

Decision

◇

Diamond
IF statement or loop condition (YES/NO branches)

Subroutine

▬▭▬

Rectangle with lines
Call to a procedure/subroutine (CALL)

Flow Line

→

Arrow
Shows direction of flow through flowchart

Connector

⭕

Circle with letter
Links flowchart across multiple pages

Return

⤾

Return symbol
End of subroutine, return to caller

3. Understanding Each Symbol

Terminator Symbol (Oval)

START and STOP

Input/Output Symbol (Parallelogram)

INPUT and PRINT

Process Symbol (Rectangle)

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Also in the full note

4. How to Draw a Flowchart
5. Converting Algorithms to Flowcharts
6. Multi-Page Flowcharts
7. Common Errors in Flowcharts
8. Summary and Review
Flowcharts: Complete Overview
Master These Flowchart Concepts Checklist
🎯 Exam Success Tips for Flowcharts

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9626 Jun 2024 · Paper 3 · Variant 1 Cambridge · mark scheme Open → 9626 Jun 2024 · Paper 3 · Variant 3 Cambridge · mark scheme Open → 9626 Mar 2023 · Paper 1 · Variant 2 Cambridge · mark scheme Open →

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