Flowchart Diagrams
Computer Science: OCR GCSE, topic 2.1.5
Flowchart Diagrams
Structure of a problem
- Flowcharts use shapes and arrows to show the steps of an algorithm in a logical order.
- Each step is shown clearly, so you can see what happens first, next, and last.
- They help break down a complex problem into smaller, understandable pieces.
Subsections and links
- Flowcharts can include subprogram (subroutine) symbols to show when the algorithm calls another section of code.
- Arrows can link to other parts of the same flowchart or to separate flowcharts, showing how different components work together.
- This makes it easier to understand the overall flow of a large program.
Writing and refining
- Flowcharts can be used to plan an algorithm before coding.
- They help find errors or missing steps in an algorithm by visualising the whole process.
- They support refinement, where steps are improved or reorganised to make the algorithm more efficient or clearer.
Test yourself on Flowchart Diagrams
What does an oval represent in a flow diagram?
What is one way flowcharts help programmers?
Why are flowcharts useful when refining an algorithm?
Why are flowcharts helpful before starting to write code?
Why might a programmer include a subprogram symbol in a flowchart?