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data flow

The document discusses software analysis and design, focusing on the transformation of requirement specifications into implementation through tools like Data Flow Diagrams (DFDs) and Structure Charts. DFDs visually represent data flow within a system, distinguishing between logical and physical types, while Structure Charts provide a more detailed hierarchical breakdown of system modules. The document outlines DFD components, levels, and the symbols used in Structure Charts to depict processes and data flow.

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Haadi Hanim
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14 views5 pages

data flow

The document discusses software analysis and design, focusing on the transformation of requirement specifications into implementation through tools like Data Flow Diagrams (DFDs) and Structure Charts. DFDs visually represent data flow within a system, distinguishing between logical and physical types, while Structure Charts provide a more detailed hierarchical breakdown of system modules. The document outlines DFD components, levels, and the symbols used in Structure Charts to depict processes and data flow.

Uploaded by

Haadi Hanim
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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DATA FLOW DIAGRAM

Software analysis and design includes all activities, which help the
transformation of requirement specification into implementation.
Requirement specifications specify all functional and non-functional
expectations from the software. These requirement specifications come in
the shape of human readable and understandable documents, to which a
computer has nothing to do.
Software analysis and design is the intermediate stage, which helps human-
readable requirements to be transformed into actual code.
Let us see few analysis and design tools used by software designers:

Data Flow Diagram


Data flow diagram is graphical representation of flow of data in an
information system. It is capable of depicting incoming data flow, outgoing
data flow and stored data. The DFD does not mention anything about how
data flows through the system.
There is a prominent difference between DFD and Flowchart. The flowchart
depicts flow of control in program modules. DFDs depict flow of data in the
system at various levels. DFD does not contain any control or branch
elements.

Types of DFD
Data Flow Diagrams are either Logical or Physical.

 Logical DFD - This type of DFD concentrates on the system


process, and flow of data in the system.For example in a Banking
software system, how data is moved between different entities.
 Physical DFD - This type of DFD shows how the data flow is
actually implemented in the system. It is more specific and close
to the implementation.
DFD Components
DFD can represent Source, destination, storage and flow of data using the
following set of components -
 Entities - Entities are source and destination of information data.
Entities are represented by a rectangles with their respective
names.
 Process - Activities and action taken on the data are represented
by Circle or Round-edged rectangles.
 Data Storage - There are two variants of data storage - it can
either be represented as a rectangle with absence of both
smaller sides or as an open-sided rectangle with only one side
missing.
 Data Flow - Movement of data is shown by pointed arrows. Data
movement is shown from the base of arrow as its source towards
head of the arrow as destination.
Levels of DFD
 Level 0 - Highest abstraction level DFD is known as Level 0 DFD,
which depicts the entire information system as one diagram
concealing all the underlying details. Level 0 DFDs are also
known as context level DFDs.

 Level 1 - The Level 0 DFD is broken down into more specific,


Level 1 DFD. Level 1 DFD depicts basic modules in the system
and flow of data among various modules. Level 1 DFD also
mentions basic processes and sources of information.
 Level 2 - At this level, DFD shows how data flows inside the
modules mentioned in Level 1.
Higher level DFDs can be transformed into more specific lower
level DFDs with deeper level of understanding unless the desired
level of specification is achieved.

Structure Charts
Structure chart is a chart derived from Data Flow Diagram. It represents the
system in more detail than DFD. It breaks down the entire system into lowest
functional modules, describes functions and sub-functions of each module of
the system to a greater detail than DFD.
Structure chart represents hierarchical structure of modules. At each layer a
specific task is performed.
Here are the symbols used in construction of structure charts -

 Module - It represents process or subroutine or task. A control


module branches to more than one sub-module. Library Modules
are re-usable and invokable from any module.

 Condition - It is represented by small diamond at the base of


module. It depicts that control module can select any of sub-
routine based on some condition.

 Jump - An arrow is shown pointing inside the module to depict


that the control will jump in the middle of the sub-module.
 Loop - A curved arrow represents loop in the module. All sub-
modules covered by loop repeat execution of module.

 Data flow - A directed arrow with empty circle at the end

represents data flow.


 Control flow - A directed arrow with filled circle at the end

represents control flow.

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