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data flow

The document discusses software analysis and design, focusing on the transformation of requirement specifications into implementation. It explains Data Flow Diagrams (DFDs), their types (Logical and Physical), components, and levels, as well as Structure Charts, which provide a more detailed breakdown of system modules. Key elements of DFDs include entities, processes, data storage, and data flow, while Structure Charts represent hierarchical relationships among modules.

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Haadi Hanim
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10 views

data flow

The document discusses software analysis and design, focusing on the transformation of requirement specifications into implementation. It explains Data Flow Diagrams (DFDs), their types (Logical and Physical), components, and levels, as well as Structure Charts, which provide a more detailed breakdown of system modules. Key elements of DFDs include entities, processes, data storage, and data flow, while Structure Charts represent hierarchical relationships among modules.

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 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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