flowchart in C

What is a Flowchart?

A flowchart is a visual representation of a process or algorithm, commonly used by programmers to plan and depict the sequence of operations in solving a problem.

It employs various symbols connected by arrows to illustrate the flow of data and execution steps.

The act of creating a flowchart for an algorithm is referred to as "flowcharting."

Basic Symbols in Flowcharting:

Start/End (Terminal): Represented by an oval, this symbol indicates the beginning and end of a program or process flow.

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Input/Output: Denoted by a parallelogram, this symbol represents operations that involve inputting data or displaying output.

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Processing: A rectangular box signifies any computational or arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, etc.

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Decision: The diamond symbolizes decision-making points in the program, like conditions or branching.

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Connectors: Represented by circles, connectors help in breaking down complex flowcharts into manageable parts.

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Flow Lines: Arrows depict the flow direction, indicating the sequence of operations and relationships between symbols.

Rules for Flowchart Creation

Start and End: The flowchart should begin with the 'start' keyword and end with 'end'.

Connection: All symbols should be connected using arrows to show the flow of control.

Decision Flow: Arrows should connect decision symbols to indicate the flow based on the decision.

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Advantages of Using Flowcharts:

Clarity: Flowcharts offer a clear visualization of the system's logic.

Design Blueprint: They serve as a blueprint during the program design phase.

Debugging Aid: Helps in identifying and debugging errors in the program.

Analysis: Programs can be analyzed and optimized easily.

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Disadvantages of Using Flowcharts:

Complexity: Creating flowcharts for large programs can be complex and time-consuming.

Detailing: There's no standard measure for detailing, which can lead to varying levels of detail.

Modification: Flowcharts can be hard to modify once drawn, especially for changes in the program.

Flow chart of Program 

Example:

Consider a flowchart to determine the largest of two numbers entered by the user:

// Program for Flowchart in C
#include<stdio.h> 

int main() {
    int num1, num2, largest;
    
    // Input
    printf("Enter two numbers:\n");
    scanf("%d %d", &num1, &num2);

    // Decision and Processing
    if (num1 > num2)
        largest = num1;
    else
        largest = num2;

    // Output
    printf("Largest number is: %d\n", largest);

    return 0;
}

Output:

Enter two numbers:
10 30
Largest number is: 30

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