Data Flow Diagram
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Data Flow Diagram (DFD) is the part of the SSADM method (Structured Systems Analysis and Design Methodology), intended for analysis and information systems projection. Data Flow Diagrams are intended for graphical representation of data flows in the information system and for analysis of data processing during the structural projection. By means of data flow diagrams it is possible to show visually the work of the information system and results of this work. Data Flow Diagram visualizes processes, data depositories and external entities in information systems and data flows connecting these elements. Data Flow Diagram consists of following components:
This variant of presentation of Data Flow Diagram objects got the name of Yourdon – de Marco notation.
Objects of Data Flow Diagrams are interpreted in the following way:
Every diagram object should have a name. Each data flow is denoted with indication of transferred data and with the possibility of indication of the format of these data. Data Flow Diagram should not involve more than 10 objects, excluding arrows, representing data flows. In case of more complicated system the totality of several objects (as a rule, processes) is united and represented on the diagram in the form of one object. This complicated compound object is presented in the form of a separate flows diagram. Each component has a number, at this, diagrams illustrating compound objects are numerated starting from the number of an object which they describe. For example components of the diagram of the description of an object with number 5 will be numerated 5.1, 5.2 etc. Generally Process Flow Diagram depicts just the major equipment without details. For clearness there is a possibility to duplicate notations of used data depositories and external entities. Processes can’t be duplicated. For example if one the same data depository is used in several different processes it is better to duplicate it on the diagram but not to create several intricate data flow arrows from one object to several processes. This concerns external entities as well. Duplicates of data depositories are marked with the double line from the left side, external entities duplicates - with the asterisk. Data flows on the diagram can ramify and merge that implies branching or confluence of data in the information system. |
Example 1. Data Flow Diagram
Thus the information system is represented by a planner in the form of the high level DFD in which objects are worked out in details by diagrams of the lower level with the preset level of detailed elaboration. There is also another way of looking at which all events in the system are described at once and each event is represented in the form of process transforming data flows, further these subruns are grouped for getting diagrams of the higher level.
Data Flow Diagrams Solution the best Data Flow Diagram software:
- You don't need to be an artist to draw professional looking diagrams in a few minutes.
- Large quantity of ready-to-use vector objects makes your drawing diagrams quick and easy.
- Great number of predesigned templates and samples give you the good start for your own workflow diagram or process flow diagram.
- ConceptDraw DIAGRAM provides you the possibility to use the grid, rules and guides. You can easily rotate, group, align, arrange the objects, use different fonts and colors to make your organizational workflow diagram exceptionally looking.
- All ConceptDraw DIAGRAM documents are vector graphic files and are available for reviewing, modifying, and converting to a variety of formats: image, HTML, PDF file, MS PowerPoint Presentation, Adobe Flash, MS Visio.
- Using ConceptDraw STORE you can navigate through ConceptDraw Solution Park, managing downloads and updates. You can access libraries, templates and samples directly from the ConceptDraw STORE.
- If you have any questions, our free of charge support is always ready to come to your aid.
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TEN RELATED HOW TO's:
UML Activity Diagram
UML Activity Diagram illustrates the business and operational step-by-step workflows of components in a system and shows the overall flow of control. You can use the appropriate stencils of UML notation from UML Activity library with 37 objects. ConceptDraw is ideal for software designers and software developers who need to draw UML Activity Diagrams. Use ConceptDraw DIAGRAM v12 diagramming and vector drawing software enhanced with Rapid UML solution from ConceptDraw Solution Park to create your own UML activity diagrams that show the business and operational workflows of components and overall flow of control in your systems. Such software provides coloring UML diagrams for various purposes and simplifying work of the engineers.
Picture: UML Activity Diagram
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Data Flow Diagram Symbols. DFD Library
Any information system receives data flows from external sources. In order to visualize them there is a list of data flow diagram symbols that describes how the system components cooperate. If you want to create a data flow diagram, ConceptDraw DIAGRAM v12 Solution Park has DFD Library that contains both Yourdon and Gane-Sarson notations. This figure shows the content of vector libraries, delivered with ConceptDraw solution for data flow diagram (DFD). There are three libraries composed from about 50 vector objects used to make data flow diagrams. They include a complete set of objects utilized by Yourdon-Coad and Gane-Sarson notations - two primary notations that are apply for data flow diagramming. Also, one can discover additional "Data flow diagram (DFD)" library that provides a data flow diagram elements for designing level 1 and context-level data flow diagrams.
Picture: Data Flow Diagram Symbols. DFD Library
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Data Flow Diagram (DFD)
In software engineering, it is important to understand how the system would cooperate with external sources, like data sources. To give this information a visual representation, data flow diagrams (DFD) were used for years. The entire system is usually divided into smaller ones, and all of them process data flows in appropriate ways. The visualizing business processes which engages the data transfer, is commonly preformed using DFDs (data flow diagrams). DFD is used to show the data flow processing and transformation. This DFD represents the electronic system of a customer purchase. It was created using Gane/Sarson notation. Data flow diagrams helps you to sort through and clarify transferring process making it available for analysis, and representation. ConceptDraw DFD solution introduces the vector library, containing the full set of icons from DFD notations.
Picture: Data Flow Diagram (DFD)
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Basic Flowchart Symbols and Meaning
While creating flowcharts and process flow diagrams, you should use special objects to define different statements, so anyone aware of flowcharts can get your scheme right. There is a short and an extended list of basic flowchart symbols and their meaning. Basic flowchart symbols include terminator objects, rectangles for describing steps of a process, diamonds representing appearing conditions and questions and parallelograms to show incoming data. This diagram gives a general review of the standard symbols that are used when creating flowcharts and process flow diagrams. The practice of using a set of standard flowchart symbols was admitted in order to make flowcharts and other process flow diagrams created by any person properly understandable by other people. The flowchart symbols depict different kinds of actions and phases in a process. The sequence of the actions, and the relationships between them are shown by special lines and arrows. There are a large number of flowchart symbols. Which of them can be used in the particular diagram depends on its type. For instance, some symbols used in data flow diagrams usually are not used in the process flowcharts. Business process system use exactly these flowchart symbols.
Picture: Basic Flowchart Symbols and Meaning
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Types of Flowcharts
A flowchart is a simple but very functional tool when it comes to understanding a workflow or to removing unnecessary stages from a process. When drawing flowcharts, keep in mind that there are four common types of flowcharts, like document flowcharts and data flowcharts that show control over a data or document flow over a system. To show controls on a physical level, use system flowcharts. In addition, to show controls in a program, you can draw a program flowchart. This flowchart diagram represents the piece of an article editing process, that involves the author and editor. It was created using the Basic Flowchart notation that consists from the basic flowchart symbols. The start and the end of the process are indicated with "Terminator" symbols. The "Process" symbols show the action steps consisting from making edits and searching for a compromise, when the author does not agree with the suggestions of the editor . The "Process" symbol is the general symbol in process flowcharts. The "Decision" symbol indicates a branching in the process flow. There are two branches indicated by a Decision shape in the current flowchart (Yes/No, Disagree/Agree). This basic flowchart can be used as a repeating unit in the workflow diagram describing the working process of some editorial office.
Picture: Types of Flowcharts
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Data Flow Diagram Process
When you are a beginner in software development, you make a lot of mistakes. Developing logical models, or data flow diagrams is a way to see the the whole project and all the processes clearly. And some novices, unfortunately for them, miss modeling stage at the beginning of project life cycle, and get into troubles as the project grows. This image represents the data flow diagram applying symbols of Yourdon and Coad notation. This DFD depicts the data flow inside an organization department deals with receivables. The icons of standard Yourdon and Coad notation provides possibility to draw professional looking and well- readable DFD for business documentation. This data flow diagram was designed with the help of ConceptDraw DIAGRAM v12 and its Data Flow Diagrams solution. The solution delivers three vector graphic libraries including elements of Yourdon and Coad and Gane-Sarson notations.
Picture: Data Flow Diagram Process
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Data Flow Diagrams
There are a lot of structured analysis and design technique methodologies used to describe systems and data sources. To visualize data structures, data flow diagrams can be used for various purposes in the area of software engineering. Nowadays these diagrams are also used in the area of business analysis and information system analysis. This data flow diagram depicts an account processing system of a typical account department of a small manufacturing enterprise. It shows the data transmission through the order processing to shipping verification. This data flow diagram was created according to standard of Yourdon and Coad notation. The vector graphic objects of Yourdon/Coad notation symbols was delivered by ConceptDraw Data Flow Diagrams solution. The current DFD can be employed as an example of a business process model, representing the set of business events and interactions commonly engaged in a accounts receivable process.
Picture: Data Flow Diagrams
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A waterfall model describes software development process as a sequence of phases that flow downwards. SSADM is one of the implementations of waterfall method. It’s easier to learn about structured systems analysis and design method (SSADM) with ConceptDraw DIAGRAM v12 because this software has appropriate tools for creating data flow diagrams. You can use all the three main techniques of SSADM method with special tools and predesigned templates. This data flow diagram illustrates the Structured Systems Analysis and Design Method. This method method considers analysis, projecting and documenting of information systems. Data flow models are the most important elements of SSADM and data flow diagrams are usually used for their description. It includes the analysis and description of a system as well as visualization of possible issues.
Picture: Structured Systems Analysis and Design Method (SSADM) with ConceptDraw DIAGRAM v12
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DFD Flowchart Symbols
A Data Flow Diagram (DFD) is a graphical technique which allows effectively model and analyze the information processes and systems. The ability to fast and easy create the DFDs is made possible with Data Flow Diagrams solution from the Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park. For designing the Data Flow Diagrams are used simple DFD flowchart symbols which are connected each other by arrows depicting the data flow from one step to another.
Picture: DFD Flowchart Symbols
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Sales Process Flowchart. Flowchart Examples
Process mapping helps with sharing business results and reorganizing workflow. In almost every case, after creating a sales process flowchart the steps that are redundant become obvious for a manager. It's easy to find a flowchart examples that will help in developing one for your business. This sales process flowchart consists of a sequence of steps that represent a simple sale process. Each step is shown graphically by a rectangle representing processing steps or an activity, or a diamond representing a decision. These rectangles are linked by arrows, that indicate the direction of the sales workflow. ConceptDraw Sales Flowcharts solution delivers a the full set of classical flowchart notation symbols, along with sales-related icons and pictograms.
Picture: Sales Process Flowchart. Flowchart Examples
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Related How To's
- UML Activity Diagram
- Data Flow Diagram Symbols. DFD Library
- Data Flow Diagram (DFD)
- Basic Flowchart Symbols and Meaning
- Types of Flowcharts
- Data Flow Diagram Process
- Data Flow Diagrams
- Structured Systems Analysis and Design Method
(SSADM) with ConceptDraw DIAGRAM v12 - DFD Flowchart Symbols
- Sales Process Flowchart.
Flowchart Examples