Data Flow Diagram (DFD)

A Data Flow Diagram (DFD) illustrates the flow of data through an information system, visualizes how the information is handled in terms of inputs and outputs, how the data enter to system and leave it. It is effective to use a Data Flow Diagram for creation the system's overview, to show the system's scope and boundaries. There are two different types of notations for DFDs: Yourdon-Coad and Gane-Sarson, which differ in visual representations for processes, data flow, data stores, external entities, etc. Thus, for example the processes are depicted as circles in Yourdon-Coad notation and as rounded squares in Gane-Sarson notation. Gane-Sarson notation is usually used for visualization information systems and Yourdon-Coad - for system analysis and design. The Data Flow Diagrams solution included to Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park offers a lot of DFD templates, samples and examples, libraries of vector stencils for construction without efforts the DFDs according to both Gane-Sarson and Yourdon-Coad notations.

Types of Flowcharts

A Flowchart is a graphical representation of process, algorithm, workflow or step-by-step solution of the problem. It shows the steps as boxes of various kinds and connects them by arrows in a defined order depicting a flow. There are twelve main Flowchart types: Basic Flowchart, Business Process Modeling Diagram (BPMN), Cross Functional Flowchart, Data Flow Diagram (DFD), IDEF (Integrated DEFinition) Flowchart, Event-driven Process Chain (EPC) Diagram, Influence Diagram (ID), Swimlane Flowchart, Process Flow Diagram (PFD), Specification and Description Language (SDL) Diagram, Value Stream Mapping, Workflow Diagram. Using the Flowcharts solution from the Diagrams area of ConceptDraw Solution Park you can easy and quickly design a Flowchart of any of these types. This solution offers a lot of special predesigned vector symbols for each of these widely used notations. They will make the drawing process of Flowcharts much easier than ever. Pay also attention for the included collection of ready Flowchart examples, samples and quick-start templates. This is business process improvement tools. If you are looking for MS Visio for your Mac, then you are out of luck, because it hasn't been released yet. However, you can use Visio alternatives that can successfully replace its functions. ConceptDraw PRO is an alternative to MS Visio for Mac that provides powerful features and intuitive user interface for the same.

Gane Sarson Diagram

The Gane-Sarson methodology uses the graphical techniques for building the logical models for the systems. It is helpful for analysts and designers to make common and clear picture of the system, to depict all its processes and how they transform the data. The Gane-Sarson methodology lets represent all this information in a way understandable for the users and other interested people, and gives the possibility to see instantly how the system's parts serve together to meet their needs. This methodology supposes the building of a system top-down. First you need create an overall system data flow, then determine the details of the data structures, the process logic and design the modular structures. ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software offers the Data Flow Diagrams solution with Gane-Sarson Notation library rich for the specific symbols of the Gane-Sarson notation. All they are vector and fully ready-to-use for drawing the Data Flow Diagrams, which will be then successfully used in presentations, websites, and various business documents.

Example of DFD for Online Store (Data Flow Diagram) DFD Example

Data Flow Diagram (DFD) is a methodology of graphical structural analysis and information systems design, which describes the sources external in respect to the system, recipients of data, logical functions, data flows and data stores that are accessed. DFDs allow to identify relationships between various system's components and are effectively used in business analysis and information systems analysis. They are useful for system’s high-level details modeling, to show how the input data are transformed to output results via the sequence of functional transformations. For description of DFD diagrams are uses two notations — Yourdon and Gane-Sarson, which differ in syntax. Online Store DFD example illustrates the Data Flow Diagram for online store, the interactions between Customers, Visitors, Sellers, depicts User databases and the flows of Website Information. ConceptDraw PRO enhanced with Data Flow Diagrams solution lets you to draw clear and simple example of DFD for Online Store using special libraries of predesigned DFD symbols.

Data Flow Diagram Examples

Data flow diagrams (DFDs) are effective to reveal relationships among the various components in a program or system. This type of diagrams is an important and useful technique for modeling an information system, its process aspects, for showing a system as a single high-level process. DFD lets illustrate the flow of data, how the input data are transformed to output results across the sequence of functional transformations. DFD consists of four major components: entities, processes, data stores, data flows. When you need to draw a Data Flow Diagram the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with Data Flow Diagrams solution will be helpful for you. Providing numerous collection of Data Flow Diagram examples, samples, templates and ready-to-use vector DFD symbols, Data Flow Diagrams solution ensures you with all needed tools for easy designing DFDs according to Gane-Sarson or Yourdon-Coad notation on your choice. Any from offered predesigned DFD examples can become a perfect base for your own diagram.

Flowchart

The Flowcharts are widespread in various fields and include the multitude of types. They are dedicated to representation the algorithms, processes, workflows of any complexity in a clear and intuitive format. The Flowcharts are commonly used in software development as a visual tool for illustration algorithms and logic of computer programs, in business for illustration business scenarios, in education, and so on. For drawing the Flowchart are used the special object blocks, among them rectangle or box used to represent an activity or step, rounded box or oval to depict Start / End, diamond to represent the decision point (involves the branching yes/no), circle used to represent the point of connection, parallelogram to represent the Input / Output, and some others. With ConceptDraw PRO including Flowcharts solution it is easy to create professional-looking Flowchart diagrams of any complexity and any degree of detailing. Succeed in drawing the Flowcharts using quick-start templates, predesigned samples and extensive libraries of ready-made flowchart symbols, blocks and icons.

Business diagrams & Org Charts with ConceptDraw PRO

The business diagrams are in great demand, they describe the business processes, business tasks and activities which are executed to achieve specific organizational and business goals, increase productivity, reduce costs and errors. They let research and better understand the business processes. ConceptDraw PRO is a powerful professional cross-platform business graphics and business flowcharting tool which contains hundreds of built-in collections of task-specific vector stencils and templates. They will help you to visualize and structure information, create various Business flowcharts, maps and diagrams with minimal efforts, and add them to your documents and presentations to make them successful. Among them are Data flow diagrams, Organization charts, Business process workflow diagrams, Audit flowcharts, Cause and Effect diagrams, IDEF business process diagrams, Cross-functional flowcharts, PERT charts, Timeline diagrams, Calendars, Marketing diagrams, Pyramids, Target diagrams, Venn diagrams, Comparison charts, Analysis charts, Dashboards, and many more. Being a cross-platform application, ConceptDraw PRO is very secure, handy, free of bloatware and one of the best alternatives to Visio for Mac users.