Course Outlines

Lecture 6

6.1 System Analysis and Design

6.2 Object Oriented Analysis and Design

6.3 Data Flow Diagram

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 What is Data Flow Diagram?

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 6.3 Data Flow Diagram

Data Flow Diagram

a graphical representation of the "flow" of data through an

information system, used for the visualization of data processing
(structured design)

data items flow from an external data source or an internal data

store to an internal data store or an external data sink, via an
internal process

provides no information about the timing of processes, or about

whether processes will operate in sequence or in parallel

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quite different from a flowchart, which shows the flow

of control through an algorithm

Show what kinds of data will be input to and output

from the system, where the data will come from and go
to, where the data will be stored

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Development and purpose of DFDs

proposed by Larry Constantine

one of the three essential perspectives of the structured-

systems analysis and design method (SSADM)

It is common practice to draw a context-level data flow

diagram first, this context-level DFD is next "exploded", to
produce a Level 1 DFD .

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The DFDs are used to:

discuss with the user a diagrammatic interpretation of

the processes in the system and clarify what is
currently being performed
determine what the new system should be able to do
and what information is required for each different
process that should be carried out

check that the completed system conforms to its

intended design

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Level 0 Diagram or context diagram

shows the interaction between the system and external

agents which act as data sources and data sinks

the system's interactions with the outside world are

modeled purely in terms of data flows across the system
boundary

The context diagram shows the entire system as a single

process, and gives no clues as to its internal organization.

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Level 1 Diagram

shows some of the detail of the system being modeled

shows how the system is divided into sub-systems (processes),

each of which deals with one or more of the data flows to or

from an external agent, and which together provide all of the
functionality of the system as a whole.

identifies internal data stores that must be present in order for

the system to do its job

shows the flow of data between the various parts of the system

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Level 2 Diagrams

Shows all processes that comprise a single process on the

level 1 diagram

Shows how information moves from and to each of these

processes

Level 2 diagrams may not be needed for all level 1

processes

Correctly numbering each process helps the user understand

where the process fits into the overall system

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Difference level of DFD

Context diagram
(level 0 DFD)
Box represents
whole system
boundary
Level 1 DFD

Level 2 DFD

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 Summary

Software life cycle

What is system analysis and design ?

What is object oriented analysis and design?

What is Data flow diagram?

Difference Level of DFD

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