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What is the difference between a data flow diagram and a flow chart?

Asked 2009-04-01T03:28:41.187
16

I want to know why we use Data Flow Diagrams instead of flow charts.

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A flow chart details the processes to follow. A DFD details the flow of data through a system.

In a flow chart, the arrows represent transfer of control (not data) between elements and the elements are instructions or decision (or I/O, etc).

In a DFD, the arrows are actually data transfer between the elements, which are themselves parts of a system.

Wikipedia has a good article on DFDs here.

answered 2009-04-01T03:36:39.827
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Data flow diagram shows the flow of data between the different entities and datastores in a system while a flow chart shows the steps involved to carried out a task. In a sense, data flow diagram provides a very high level view of the system, while a flow chart is a lower level view (basically showing the algorithm).

Whether you use data flow diagram or flow charts depends on figuring out what is it that you are trying to show.

answered 2009-04-01T03:41:39.283
1

A Data Flow Diagram is functional relationship which includes input values and output values and internal data stored.

A Flow Chart is a process relationship which includes input and output values.

answered 2010-04-21T06:07:12.220

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