BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN COMPUTER ENGINEERING

CPE317 – COMPUTER ENGINEERING

LESSON 1

Prepared by:
ENGR. SPRINZTSIE MAYE T. GARRUCHA
CPE317 Instructor
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the end of this topic, the students will be able:

1. Introduce block diagram and flowchart and identify the symbols used.
2. Elaborate how a system works using block diagrams.
3. Demonstrate understanding in the symbols used in flowchart and analyze systems using
flowchart.

OUTLINE OF THE TOPIC:

1. Block Diagram
a. What is a block diagram?
b. Uses of Block Diagram
c. How to make a block diagram?
d. Block Diagram: Best Practices
e. Block Diagram Examples

2. Flowchart
a. What is a flowchart?
b. Simple Flowcharting Symbols
c. Advanced Flowcharting Symbols
d. Examples of Flowcharts

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TOPIC 1: BLOCK DIAGRAM
What is a block diagram?
A block diagram is a specialized, high-level flowchart used in engineering. It is used to design
new systems or to describe and improve existing ones. Its structure provides a high-level overview
of major system components, key process participants, and important working relationships. It is
a visual representation of a system that uses simple, labeled blocks that represent single or
multiple items, entities or concepts, connected by lines to show relationships between them.

An entity relationship diagram (ERD), one example of a block diagram, represents an information
system by showing the relationships between people, objects, places, concepts or events within
that system.

Block diagrams are a generalized representation of a concept and are not intended to display
complete information in regards to design or manufacture. Unlike schematics, blueprints and
layout diagrams, block diagrams do not portray the necessary detail for physical construction.
Block diagrams are made simple so as not to cloud concepts.

Uses of Block Diagram

Block diagrams are used heavily in engineering and design of diagrams for electronics, hardware,
software and processes. Most commonly, they represent concepts and systems in a higher level,
less detailed overview. The diagrams are useful for troubleshooting technical issues.

A block diagram provides a quick, high-level view of a system to rapidly identify points of interest
or trouble spots. Because of its high-level perspective, it may not offer the level of detail required
for more comprehensive planning or implementation. A block diagram will not show every wire
and switch in detail, that's the job of a circuit diagram. The simplification in block diagrams can
also be useful when demonstrating an idea, but concealing the inner workings of potentially secret
intellectual property (IP). Top-down design in electrical engineering often progresses through
increasingly detailed block diagrams. After enough detail is added through iterations, the block
diagram becomes a schematic. Block diagrams in process control show the functions of
operations but not the components that perform them. The functions of block diagrams may then
be implemented with programmable logic controllers (PLC).

Block diagrams are also used in a scientific context. In the study of biology, for example, block
diagrams are used to display biological functions and interrelations. A block diagram is especially
focused on the input and output of a system. It cares less about what happens getting from input
to output. This principle is referred to as black box in engineering. Either the parts that get us from
input to output are not known or they are not important.

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How to Make a Block Diagram?

Block diagrams are made similar to flowcharts. You will want to create blocks, often represented
by rectangular shapes, that represent important points of interest in the system from input to
output. Lines connecting the blocks will show the relationship between these components.

Block diagrams use very basic geometric shapes: boxes and circles. The principal parts and
functions are represented by blocks connected by straight and segmented lines illustrating
relationships.

When block diagrams are used in electrical engineering, the arrows connecting components
represent the direction of signal flow through the system. Whatever any specific block represents
should be written on the inside of that block.
A block diagram can also be drawn in increasing detail if analysis requires it. Feel free to add as
little or as much detail as you want using more specific electrical schematic symbols.

Block Diagram: Best Practices

• Identify the system. Determine the system to be illustrated. Define components, inputs,
and outputs.

• Create and label the diagram. Add a symbol for each component of the system,
connecting them with arrows to indicate flow. Also, label each block so that it is easily
identified.

• Indicate input and output. Label the input that activates a block, and label that output
that ends the block.

• Verify accuracy. Consult with all stakeholders to verify accuracy.

Block Diagram Examples

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TOPIC 2: FLOWCHART

What is a flowchart?

A flowchart is a type of diagram that represents an algorithm, workflow or process. The flowchart
shows the steps as boxes of various kinds, and their order by connecting the boxes with arrows.
This diagrammatic representation illustrates a solution model to a given problem. Flowcharts are
used in analyzing, designing, documenting or managing a process or program in various fields.

Simple Flowcharting Symbols

Terminal

The rounded rectangles, or terminal points, indicate the flowchart’s starting and ending points.

Flow Lines

Note: The default flow is left to right and top to bottom (the same way you read English). To save
time arrowheads are often only drawn when the flow lines go contrary the normal.

Input/Output

The parallelograms designate input or output operations.

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Process

The rectangle depicts a process such as a mathematical computation, or a variable assignment.

Decision

The diamond is used to represent the true/false statement being tested in a decision symbol.

Advanced Flowcharting Symbols

Module Call

A program module is represented in a flowchart by rectangle with some lines to distinguish it from
process symbol. Often programmers will make a distinction between program control and specific
task modules as shown below.

Local module: usually a program control function.

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Library module: usually a specific task function.

Connectors

Sometimes a flowchart is broken into two or more smaller flowcharts. This is usually done when
a flowchart does not fit on a single page, or must be divided into sections. A connector symbol,
which is a small circle with a letter or number inside it, allows you to connect two flowcharts on
the same page. A connector symbol that looks like a pocket on a shirt, allows you to connect to a
flowchart on a different page.

On-Page Connector

Off-Page Connector

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Examples of Flowcharts

Reference:
• https://www.smartdraw.com/block-diagram/#blockDiagramSymbols
• https://eng.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Computer_Science/Programming_and_Co
mputation_Fundamentals/Book%3A_Programming_Fundamentals_(Busbee_and
_Braunschweig)/01%3A_Introduction_to_Programming/1.05%3A_Flowcharts