BCA-125

Structured Analysis and

Desgin

The tools of structured analysis

Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala

 What is structured analysis?
 Structured analysis is a set of techniques and graphical tools that allow
the analyst to develop a new kind of system specifications that are
easily understandable to the user.
 Goals:
○ use graphics wherever possible to help communicate better with

the user.
○ Differentiate between logical and physical systems

○ Build a logical system model to familiarize the user with the

system characteristics.

Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala

Tools of structured analysis
 Tools of structured analysis are:
o Data flow diagram(DFD)

o Data dictionary

o IPO and HIPO Charts

o Gantt Charts

o Pseudo Codes

o Flow Charts

o Decision tree

o Decision table
Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala
 1. Data flow diagram(DFD)
 It shows the flow of data between various functions of system and
specifies how the current system is implemented.
 It is an initial stage of design phase that functionally divides the
requirement specifications down to the lowest level of detail.
 Its graphical nature makes it a good communication tool between
user and analyst or analyst and system designer.
 It gives an overview of what data a system processes, what
transformations are performed, what data are stored, what results are
produced and where they flow.

Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala

DFD symbols

Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala

Rules for creating DFD
 All data flows must flow to or from a process
 A Process must have at least one input flow and one output flow.
 The inputs to a process must be sufficient to produce output flows.
 Processes must transform data.
 Data Flows can not cross each other.
 Entities must be labelled in lower case.

Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala

Example: Mess Management

Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala

2. Data dictionary
 A data dictionary is a structured repository of data about data.
 It stores the descriptions of all DFD data elements that is, details
and definitions of data flows, data stores, data stored in data stores,
and the processes.

Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala

 Advantages of data dictionary
 Improved data quality
 Improved trust in data integrity
 Improved documentation and control
 Reduced data redundancy
 Reuse of data
 Consistency in data use
 Easier data analysis
 Improved decision making based on better data
 Simpler programming
 Enforcement of standards

Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala

 Types of Data Dictionary
The different types of data dictionary are −
1. Active Data Dictionary
If the structure of the database or its specifications change at any point
of time, it should be reflected in the data dictionary. This is the
responsibility of the database management system in which the data
dictionary resides.
So, the data dictionary is automatically updated by the database
management system when any changes are made in the database. This is
known as an active data dictionary as it is self updating.
2. Passive Data Dictionary
A passive data dictionary is maintained separately to the database
whose contents are stored in the dictionary. That means that if the
database is modified the database dictionary is not automatically updated
as in the case of Active Data Dictionary. 
So, the passive data dictionary has to be manually updated to match the
database. This needs careful handling or else the database and data
dictionary are out of sync.
Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala
3. IPO and HIPO Charts
 To understand structure and functions of systems.
 To provide easily understandable description of various parts of
system.
 To define procedures and operations in a hierarchical manner,
correlating input, processing, and output steps with the integrated whole
expressed in the hierarchy diagram.

Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala

HIPO
A HIPO package consists of a hierarchy chart and IPO overview diagram
and IPO detail diagram:
 Hierarchy Chart
 IPO Chart
 IPO detailed chart

Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala

HIPO Diagram

Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala

IPO Charts
An analyst should record information about the algorithms that define the
processes as early as possible. During analysis these processes are
beginning to be understood, often at a black box level (By black box we
mean that, knowing the inputs and outputs, we make assumptions about
the manipulations of the process.)
As more details are known about an algorithm they should be documented.
A reasonable way to do this is to use the documentation that will be used
during design. Often a process (or program module) definition template is
available through CASE tools, which allows the inputs and outputs to be
checked against other entries in the CASE database for consistence. Such
documentation is sometimes called an IPO Chart, in that it records the
input, process, and output of a process, or program module.
Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala
IPO Chart

Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala

IPO Detailed Diagram

Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala

4. Gantt Charts
 Gantt chart is a type of a bar chart that is used for illustrating project
schedules. Gantt charts can be used in any projects that involve effort,
resources, milestones and deliveries.
 Gantt charts allow project managers to track the progress of the
entire project. Through Gantt charts, the project manager can keep a
track of the individual tasks as well as of the overall project progression.
 In addition to tracking the progression of the tasks, Gantt charts can
also be used for tracking the utilization of the resources in the project.
These resources can be human resources as well as materials used.

Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala

Gantt chart for MIS problem

Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala

5. Pseudo Codes
 Pseudocode is an informal way of programming description that
does not require any strict programming language syntax or
underlying technology considerations.
 It is used for creating an outline or a rough draft of a program.
 Pseudocode summarizes a program’s flow, but excludes
underlying details. System designers write pseudocode to ensure that
programmers understand a software project's requirements and align
code accordingly.

Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala

Advantges of Pseudo Codes
 Improves the readability of any approach. It’s one of the best
approaches to start implementation of an algorithm.
 Acts as a bridge between the program and the algorithm or
flowchart. Also works as a rough documentation, so the program of
one developer can be understood easily when a pseudo code is written
out. In industries, the approach of documentation is essential. And
that’s where a pseudo-code proves vital.
 The main goal of a pseudo code is to explain what exactly each
line of a program should do, hence making the code construction phase
easier for the programmer.

Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala

Example of Pseudo codes
This program will allow the user to check the number whether it's
even or odd.
if "1“
print response
"I am case 1"
if "2"
print response
"I am case 2"

Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala

6. Flow Charts
 A flowchart is a picture of the separate steps of a process in
sequential order.
 It is a generic tool that can be adapted for a wide variety of
purposes, and can be used to describe various processes, such as a
manufacturing process, an administrative or service process, or a
project plan. It's a common process analysis tool and one of the seven
basic quality tools.
 Elements that may be included in a flowchart are a sequence of
actions, materials or services entering or leaving the process (inputs
and outputs), decisions that must be made, people who become
involved, time involved at each step, and/or process measurements. 
Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala
 Flow Chart Symbols
 Data object: Data object often referred for the Input and Outputs from
a process. Symbol 
 Rectangle: rectangle is used to represent event control within the
process which is a step or action that is going to take. Symbol 
 Diamond: this is used to represent a decision point in the process that
contain two conditions either yes or no, so to direct different part of the
flowchart accordingly. Symbol 
 Document: this symbol is used to represent a document in the process
flow it is like a rectangle with the wave-like base. Symbol 
 Rounded Box: rounded box is an event that occur automatically, this
event is triggered only when a subsequent action is to be performed like to
receive telephone and so on.Rakhi,
Symbol 
Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala
 Stored Data: this object is used to store data as the name implies in
the process flow. The data which could be stored on a hard drive,
magnetic tape, of any other storage device. Symbol 
 Manual Input: this object determine an action where user is
promoted for information that must be manually input into a system.
Manual input is represented by rectangle with the top sloping up from left
to right. Symbol 
 Direct Data: this data object in the process flow that represent stored
information which can be accessed directly and this object represents a
computer’s hard drive. Symbol 
 Circle: this symbol is used to represent that one processes connect to
another one and the name of the process should appear within symbol.
Symbol 
Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala
 Internal Storage: the object is commonly found in programming
flowcharts to depict the information stored in memory. Symbol 
 Predefined Process: this object allows to write one subroutine and
call it whenever needed in the code. Symbol 

Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala

Example of Flow Chart

Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala

 7. Decision tree
 Decision tree is a tree like structure that represents the various
conditions and the subsequent possible actions.
 It also shows the priority in which the conditions are to be tested or
addressed. Each of its branches stands for any one of the logical
alternatives and because of the branch structure, it is known as a tree.
 The decision sequence starts from the root of the tree that is usually
on the left of the diagram.
The decision tree representation form is very beneficial to the analyst.

Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala

Advantages
The first advantage is that by using this form the analyst is able to
depict all the given parameters in a logical format which enables the
simplification of the whole decision process as now there is a very
remote chance of committing an error in the decision process as all
the options are clearly specified in one of the most simplest manner.
Secondly it also aids the analyst about those decisions, which can
only be taken when couple or more conditions should hold true
together for there may be a case where other conditions are relevant
only if one basic condition holds true.

Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala

Example
Consider the example of discount policy of a saree manufacturer
for his customers.
According to the policy the saree manufacturer give discount to his
customers based on the type of customer and size of their order.
• For the individual, only if the order size is 12 or more, the
manufacturer gives a discount of 50% and
• for less than 12 sarees the discount is 30%.
Whereas in case of shopkeeper or retailers, the discount policy is
different.
• If the order is less than 12 then there is 15% discount.
• For 13 to 48 sarees order, the discount is 30%,
• for 49 to 84 sarees 40% and
• for more than 85 sarees the discount is 50%.

The decision policy for discount percentage can be put in the form of
a decision tree displayed in the following figure.

Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala

Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala
8. Decision Table
 A decision table is a graphical method for explaining the logic
of making decision in tabular format.
 It is a set of conditions and set of actions and different
combinations of decisions.
 “It is a matrix representation of logic of decisions which
specify the possible conditions for decision and resulting
actions.”
 The decision table is divided into two parts:
• Condition
• Action

Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala

1. Condition:
The condition part specifies all conditions that are applied to the
inputted data. It is also divided into two parts 
    i. Condition Stub:-
It describes the conditions that exist in the program logic.
    ii. Condition Entry:-
It provides answers to questions asked in the condition asked in the
condition term.

2.  Action:
The action part is subdivided into two parts à
     i. Action Stub:-
It describes the action to be taken to meet each condition.
     ii. Action Entry:-
It describes the appropriate action resulting from the answer to the
condition in condition entry.

Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala

Format:
Table Heading Decision Rule

Condition Stub Condition Entry

Action Stub Action Entry

Advantages of Decision Table

• It provides compact representation of decision making process.
• It is easier to understand particular path.
• It can be changed according to situation.
• These are best suited for calculating discounts, commissions or
inventory control procedures.
• The structure of decision table promotes a logically complete and
consistent problem definition.
Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala
Disadvantages of Decision Table
•    It cannot express the complete sequence of operations to solve a
problem therefore it may be difficult for the programmer to translate
decision table into program.
•    If there are too many alternatives, it is difficult to list in decision
table.
•    It does not show the flow of logic for the solution to a given
problem.

Example of Decision Tree

Let's create a decision table for a login screen.
The condition is simple if the user provides correct username and
password the user will be redirected to the homepage. If any of the
input is wrong, an error message will be displayed.

Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala

Where
T – Correct username/password
F – Wrong username/password
E – Error message is displayed
H – Home screen is displayed
Interpretation:
Case 1 – Username and password both were wrong. The user is shown an error
message.
Case 2 – Username was correct, but the password was wrong. The user is shown
an error message.
Case 3 – Username was wrong, but the password was correct. The user is shown
an error message.
Case 4 – Username and password both were correct, and the user navigated to
homepage
Rakhi, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of CSE, S.D. College, Ambala