WHAT IS DATA FLOW DIAGRAM?

Introduction to Data Flow Diagram

A data-flow diagram (DFD) may be an approach of representing a flow of a knowledge of a process or a system (usually an information system). The DFD additionally provides data regarding the outputs and inputs of every entity and therefore the method itself. A data-flow diagram has no management flow, there are not any call rules and no loops. Specific operations supported the information are often described by a flowchart. It also includes different methods of evaluation using various formats. This specific type of diagram can also link external information to internal information and effectively show the relationship between issues. 

Why DFD?

DFD diagrammatically representing the functions, or processes, that capture, manipulate, store, and distribute knowledge between a system and its surroundings and between elements of a system. The visual illustration makes it an honest communication tool between User and System designer. Structure of DFD permits ranging from a broad summary and expand it to a hierarchy of elaborated diagrams. DFD has usually been used because of the subsequent reasons:

• Logical data flow of the system
• Determination of physical system construction needs
• Simplicity of notation
• Establishment of manual and automatic systems needs

Rules for creating DFD

Entity names ought to be perceivable while not more comments. DFD may be a system created by analysts after interviewing the system users. It’s determined for system developers, on the one hand, project contractor on the opposite, that the entity names ought to be tailored for model domain or amateur users or professionals. Entity names ought to be general, however ought to clearly specify the entity. Processes ought to be numbered for easier mapping and referral to specific processes. The enumeration is random, however, it’s necessary to take care of consistency across all DFD levels. DFD ought to be clear, because the most range of processes in 1 DFD is suggested to be from 6 to 9, minimum is 3 processes in 1 DFD. 

Symbols and Notations Used in DFDs

Common systems of symbols are named after their creators:

• Yourdon and Coad
• Yourdon and DeMarco
• Gane and Sarson

The important difference in their symbols is that Yourdon-Coad and Yourdon-DeMarco use circles for processes, whereas Gane and Sarson use rectangles which has rounded corners, also known as lozenges. There are also other symbol variations in use, the important thing to keep in mind is to be clear and consistent about the shapes and notations you use to communicate with others.

DFD consists of processes, flows, warehouses, and terminators. There area unit many ways in which to look at these DFD elements.[4]

Process

The process symbol is a very important symbol in the data flow diagram.The process (function, transformation) is a component of a system that transforms inputs to outputs. Its symbol is a circle, an oval, a parallelogram or a parallelogram with rounded corners. The symbol itself is separated into two horizontal columns and has three arrows to lead the flow of information. 

Data Flow

Data flow shows the transfer of data from one a part of the system to a different. The symbol of the flow is the arrow. The data flow symbol is used mainly for processes, external entities, and data storage.

The flow ought to have a reputation that determines what info is being affected. Exceptions area unit flows wherever it’s clear what info is transferred through the entities that area unit joined to those flows. Flow ought to solely transmit one style of information. The arrow shows the flow direction (it can even be bi-directional if the data to/from the entity is logically dependent). 

Warehouse or Datastore

The warehouse (datastore, data store, file, informationbase) is employed to store data for later use. The symbol is 2 horizontal lines, the opposite method of read is shown within the DFD Notation. The data store symbol is used to indicate information stored in the system which may be private so that it can be used again for other purposes. The warehouse doesn’t have to be simply an information file, a folder with documents, a office furniture, and optical discs. Therefore, viewing the warehouse in DFD is freelance of implementation. The flow to the warehouse sometimes expresses information entry or change (sometimes also deleting data). Warehouse is painted by 2 parallel lines between the memory name is found (it is modelled as a UML buffer node).

Terminator or External Entity

The terminator is an external entity that communicates with the system and stands outside of the system. They are the sources and destinations of information entering or leaving the system. They might be an outside organization or person, a computer system or a business system. It is the representation of a communication process that receives data and monitors which information should be eliminated.

Examples of how DFDs can be used

Data flow diagrams are well suited for analysis or modeling of various types of systems in different fields.

DFD in software engineering: 

DFDs can provide a focused approach to the technical development, in which more research is done up front for coding.

DFD in business analysis: 

Business analysts use DFDs to analyze existing systems and they use DFDs to find inefficiencies. Diagramming the process can uncover steps that might otherwise be missed or not fully understood.

DFD in business process re-engineering: 

DFDs can be used to provide a very efficient flow of data through a business process. Business process re-engineering was started to assist organizations, cut operational costs, improve customer service and to better compete in the market.

DFD in agile development: 

DFDs are often used to visualize and perceive business and technical needs and to plan further. They are simple, however powerful tool for communication and collaboration to focus fast development.

DFD in system structures:

Any system or method are often analyzed in progressive detail to enhance it, on a technical and non-technical basis.