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Data Flow Diagrams

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67 views21 pages

Data Flow Diagrams

Uploaded by

satyamsinghsatyamsingh362
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Data Flow Diagrams

What is a Data Flow Diagram?

 A data flow diagram (DFD) is a


graphical representation of the
movement of data between external
entities, processes and data stores within
a system.

 Simply put, DFD’s show how data


moves through an information system.
DFD Symbols
Process

 The work or actions performed on data so that they


are transformed, stored, or distributed.

 Process labels should be verb phrases!


Data Flow

 A path for data to move from one part of the system


to another.
 Data in motion!
 Arrows depict the movement of data.
 NO VERBS
Data Store

 Used in a DFD to represent data that the system


stores
 Data at rest!
 Labels should be noun phrases
 (NO VERBS)
External Entity aka Source/Sink

 The origin or destination of data!


 This represents things outside of the system.
 Source – Entity that supplies data to the system.
 Sink – Entity that receives data from the system.
 The labels should be noun phrases!
General DFD Rules
YES NO
A process to another process

A process to an external entity

A process to a data store

An external entity to another external entity

An external entity to a data store

A data store to another data store


Physical and logical data
flow diagrams (logical)
• focus on what happens in a particular information
flow: what information is being transmitted, what
entities are receiving that info, what general
processes occur, etc.

• The processes described in a logical DFD are


business activities—a logical DFD doesn’t delve into
the technical aspects of a process or system, such
as how the process is constructed and implemented.

• So you don’t need to include details like


configuration or data storage technology.

• Non-technical employees should be able to


understand these diagrams, making logical DFDs an
excellent tool for communicating with project
stakeholders.
Physical and logical data flow
diagrams
Physical data flow diagrams

• focus on how things happen in an


information flow.

• These diagrams specify the software,


hardware, files, and people involved in an
information flow.

• A detailed physical data flow diagram can


facilitate the development of the code
needed to implement a data system.
Physical data flow diagrams
Data flow diagram levels
Level 0 DFD:
• Level 0 DFDs, also known as context
diagrams, are
the most basic data flow diagrams.

• They provide a broad view that is easily


digestible but offers little detail.

• Level 0 data flow diagrams show a single


process node and its connections to
external entities.

• For instance, the example shown below


illustrates the hotel reservation process
with the flow of information between
admin and guests.
Data flow diagram levels
Level 0 DFD:
Data flow diagram levels
Level 1 DFD:

• Level 1 DFDs are still a general overview, but they


go into more detail than a context diagram.

• In level 1 DFD, the single process node from the


context diagram is broken down into sub-
processes.

• As these processes are added, the diagram will


need additional data flows and data stores to link
them together.

• In the hotel reservation example, this can include


adding the room selection and inquiry processes
to the reservation system, as well as data
stores.
Data flow diagram levels
Level 1 DFD:
Data flow diagram levels
Level 2+ DFD:

• Level 2+ DFDs simply break processes


down into more detailed sub-processes. In
theory, DFDs could go beyond level 3, but
they rarely do.

• Level 3 data flow diagrams are detailed


enough that it doesn’t usually make sense
to break them down further.

The level 2 diagram below expands on the


hotel reservation process to include more
granular processes involved, such as the
cancellation and confirmation processes
and subsequent connected data flows.
Data flow diagram levels
Level 2+ DFD:
How to create a data flow
diagram

1. Identify major inputs and outputs in your


system

2. Build a context diagram

3. Expand the context diagram into a level 1


DFD

4. Expand to a level 2+ DFD

5. Confirm the accuracy of your final


diagram
Advantages of DFDs
 Simple graphical techniques which are
easy to understand
 Helps define the boundaries of the system
 Useful for communicating current system
knowledge to users
 Explains the logic behind the data flow
within the system
 Used as the part of system documentation
file
 Rottman makes you do these in design!
Group Exercise

 Get into your project groups and figure out


the best solution for the level 0 DFD for
the National Merchandising Case!
 When you are done have one team
member come and put your solution on the
board.

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