1. Data Flow Diagrams Start Do you want to continue? Yes End No Test on
Flow Symbols
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Flow symbols
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2. System Flow Diagram
A flow diagram simply shows the breakdown of a task or system into all of the necessary steps.
Each step is represented by a symbol and connecting lines show the step-by-step progression through the task.
There must be a clear start, series of steps, direction of flow and a clear end or finish point.

3. Flow Chart Example
All Flow Charts must have an oval Start and an End symbols
A Feedback Loop
Start
Is it
Dark?
A decision box checks an input or condition before carrying on. No
Arrows show the direction of the decision.
Yes
Turn
Lights on
Inputs and outputs are shown as parallelograms
Arrow show direction of the flow.
End

4. Data Flow Diagram Terminator Start and end of flow diagram
Symbol
Name
Description
Terminator
Start and end of flow diagram
Action / process
‘Doing thing’ e.g. click on…
Decision
Simple question, yes/ no answer
Must have two arrows coming off, one ‘yes’ one ‘no’
Input/ output
How data input/ output to/ from system
Delay
Time lapsed for processing
Data store
Database where information is stored.
Arrow
Links symbols together, shows direction of the flow.

5. Practice Exam Question 1
A brief description of the appointment booking procedure
for Wordsworth Dental Practice is described below:
● Patient logs onto the online booking system
● Patient checks the online system for dentist availability
● If the correct dentist is available the patient adds a new appointment to the dentist database
● An automatic is sent to the patient confirming the appointment.
Draw a flowchart to show the various
Stages of booking an appointment.

6. Start No Yes End Patient inputs dentist name and date
Stored Data
System checks for availability
Date Suitable?
1 Mark for Each
Human Input data
Data File
Screen Display
2 correct Symbols
Feedback Loop
Decision Box
Arrows No
Yes
Booking added to system
Confirmation of Booking
End

7. Practice Exam Question 2
A brief description of the appointment booking procedure
for Wordsworth Health Centre is described below:
Patient contacts reception via telephone or
Receptionist asks patient when they can attend the surgery
Receptionist checks on-screen for doctor availability
If doctor not available receptionist asks patient for alternative dates, times or doctor
If doctor is available receptionist adds new appointment to the database and informs patient.
Draw a system flowchart to show the
various stages of booking an appointment

8. Patient Contacts Reception Output of Appointment
End
Start
Marks:
1 mark each for any three stages in correct order (max 3) 1 mark for indicating the database 1 mark for a feedback loop 1 mark for decision 2 marks for any 2 appropriate
flow chart symbols
Patient Contacts Reception
Output
of Appointment
Receptionist re checks for availability
Input of dates
Stored Data
Output of availability
Available?
Booking added to system
Yes No

9. Test your understanding