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Data Flow Diagrams: The Following Observations About Dfds Are Essential

A Data Flow Diagram (DFD) visually represents the flow of information in a system using standard symbols. It shows how data enters and leaves the system, what processes the data, and where data is stored. DFDs can depict the scope and boundaries of a system at different levels of abstraction, starting with a high-level context diagram (level-0) and becoming more detailed in lower levels like level-1 and level-2 DFDs. Standard DFD symbols include bubbles for processes, arrows for data flow, and parallel lines for data storage.

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228 views3 pages

Data Flow Diagrams: The Following Observations About Dfds Are Essential

A Data Flow Diagram (DFD) visually represents the flow of information in a system using standard symbols. It shows how data enters and leaves the system, what processes the data, and where data is stored. DFDs can depict the scope and boundaries of a system at different levels of abstraction, starting with a high-level context diagram (level-0) and becoming more detailed in lower levels like level-1 and level-2 DFDs. Standard DFD symbols include bubbles for processes, arrows for data flow, and parallel lines for data storage.

Uploaded by

Rajkumar Sanket
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© © All Rights Reserved
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DATA FLOW DIAGRAMS

A Data Flow Diagram (DFD) is a traditional visual representation of the information flows
within a system. A neat and clear DFD can depict the right amount of the system requirement
graphically. It can be manual, automated, or a combination of both.

It shows how data enters and leaves the system, what changes the information, and where data is
stored.

The objective of a DFD is to show the scope and boundaries of a system as a whole. It may be
used as a communication tool between a system analyst and any person who plays a part in the
order that acts as a starting point for redesigning a system. The DFD is also called as a data flow
graph or bubble chart.

The following observations about DFDs are essential:

1. All names should be unique. This makes it easier to refer to elements in the DFD.
2. Remember that DFD is not a flow chart. Arrows is a flow chart that represents the order
of events; arrows in DFD represents flowing data. A DFD does not involve any order of
events.
3. Suppress logical decisions. If we ever have the urge to draw a diamond-shaped box in a
DFD, suppress that urge! A diamond-shaped box is used in flow charts to represents
decision points with multiple exists paths of which the only one is taken. This implies an
ordering of events, which makes no sense in a DFD.
4. Do not become bogged down with details. Defer error conditions and error handling until
the end of the analysis.

Standard symbols for DFDs are derived from the electric circuit diagram analysis and are
shown in fig:

 
Fig1.1: (Symbols for data flow diagram)

Circle: A circle (bubble) shows a process that transforms data inputs into data outputs.

Data Flow: A curved line shows the flow of data into or out of a process or data store.

Data Store: A set of parallel lines shows a place for the collection of data items. A data store
indicates that the data is stored which can be used at a later stage or by the other processes in a
different order. The data store can have an element or group of elements.

Source or Sink: Source or Sink is an external entity and acts as a source of system inputs or sink
of system outputs.

Levels In Data Flow Diagrams (Dfd)

The DFD may be used to perform a system or software at any level of abstraction. Infact, DFDs
may be partitioned into levels that represent increasing information flow and functional detail.
Levels in DFD are numbered 0, 1, 2 or beyond. Here, we will see primarily three levels in the
data flow diagram, which are: 0-level DFD, 1-level DFD, and 2-level DFD.

0-level DFDM

It is also known as fundamental system model, or context diagram that represents the entire
software requirement as a single bubble with input and output data denoted by incoming and
outgoing arrows. Then the system is decomposed and described as a DFD with multiple bubbles.
Parts of the system represented by each of these bubbles are then decomposed and documented
as more and more detailed DFDs. Level-0 DFD for student information system is shown in
following fig.

1-level DFD

In 1-level DFD, a context diagram is decomposed into multiple bubbles/processes. In this level,
we highlight the main objectives of the system and breakdown the high-level process of 0-level
DFD into sub-processes. Level-1 DFD for student information system is shown in following fig.

2-Level DFD

2-level DFD goes one process deeper into parts of 1-level DFD. It can be used to project or
record the specific/necessary detail about the system's functioning. Level-2 DFD for student
information system is shown in following fig.

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