Constructing a flowchart

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Constructing a Flowchart

There is no "best way" to construct a flowchart. There is no way to standardize problem solution. Flowcharting and programming techniques are often unique and conform to the individuals own methods or direction of problem solution.

This manual will show an example of developing a programming flowchart. It is not the intent to say this is the best way; rather, it is one way to do it. By following this text example you should grasp the idea of solving problems through flowchart construction. As you gain experience and familiarity with a computer system, these ideas will serve as a foundation. In order to develop a flowchart, you must first know what problem you are to solve. It is then your job to study the problem definition and develop a flowchart to show the logic, steps, and sequence of steps the computer is to execute in order to solve the problem.

As an example, suppose you have taken a short-term second mortgage on a new home, and you want to determine what your real costs will be: the amount of interest; the amount to be applied to principal; and the final payment at the end of the three year loan period.

Figure 1-4.Flowchart Worksheet.

The first step is to be sure you understand the problem completelyWhat are the inputs and the outputs and what steps are needed to answer the questions? Even when you are specifying a problem of your own, youll find we dont usually think in small detailed sequential steps. But, that is exactly how a computer operates; one step after another in a specified order. Therefore, it is necessary for you to think the problem solution through step-by- step. You might clarify the problem as shown by the Problem Definition in figure 1-5.

After you have this level of narrative problem definition, you are ready to develop a flowchart showing the logic, steps, and sequence of steps you want the computer to execute in order to solve the problem. A programming flowchart of this problem is also shown in figure 1-5.

You now have a plan of what you want the computer to do. The next step is to code a program that can be translated by a computer into a set of instructions it can execute. This step is called program coding.