Basic Notations in Flowcharts

A flowchart is a graphical representation of a process or algorithm. It uses symbols and arrows to depict the steps involved in a process. There are various basic notations used in flowcharts, which include:

1. Rectangle: It is used to represent a process or activity. The rectangle is the most commonly used symbol in flowcharts.

2. Circle: It is used to represent the start or end of a process. It is also used to indicate a point in the process where a decision needs to be made.

3. Diamond: It is used to represent a decision point in a process. It is used when a process can take more than one path, and a decision needs to be made to determine which path to follow.

4. Oval: It is used to represent the input or output of a process. It is used to indicate the start or end of a process.

Notation Not Used in Flowcharts

The notation that is not used in flowcharts is the circle. While it is used in other types of diagrams, such as Venn diagrams and organizational charts, it is not used in flowcharts. The reason for this is that flowcharts are used to represent processes, and a circle does not represent a process. Instead, the start and end of a process are represented using an oval symbol.

Conclusion

Flowcharts are an essential tool for software developers to represent the processes involved in software development. The basic notations used in flowcharts include rectangle, diamond, oval, and circle. While the circle is not used in flowcharts, it is used in other types of diagrams.