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Understanding Data Flow Diagrams (DFD)

A data flow diagram (DFD) is a graphical representation that illustrates the flow of data between processes or external entities. A DFD uses shapes like squares, rounded rectangles, arrows, and open-ended rectangles to represent external entities, processes, data flows, and data stores. There are rules for creating a valid DFD, such as all processes must have at least one data flow in and out, and each data store and external entity must be involved in at least one data flow.

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Jhong Tan
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5 views5 pages

Understanding Data Flow Diagrams (DFD)

A data flow diagram (DFD) is a graphical representation that illustrates the flow of data between processes or external entities. A DFD uses shapes like squares, rounded rectangles, arrows, and open-ended rectangles to represent external entities, processes, data flows, and data stores. There are rules for creating a valid DFD, such as all processes must have at least one data flow in and out, and each data store and external entity must be involved in at least one data flow.

Uploaded by

Jhong Tan
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

WHAT IS A DATA FLOW DIAGRAM?

A data flow diagram (DFD) is a significant modeling technique for analyzing and constructing information processes. DFD literally means an illustration that explains the course or movement of information in a process. DFD illustrates this flow of information in a process based on the inputs and outputs. A DFD can be referred to as a Process Model.

A data flow diagram (DFD) is a graphical representation of the flow of data between processes.

1. Squares representing external entities, which are sources or destinations of data. 2. Rounded rectangles representing processes, which take data as input, do something to it, and output it. 3. Arrows representing the data flows, which can either be electronic data or physical items. 4. Open-ended rectangles representing data stores, including electronic stores such as databases or XML files and physical stores such as or filing cabinets or stacks of paper.

RULES IN MAKING A DFD


There are several common modeling rules that I follow when creating DFDs: 1. All processes must have at least one data flow in and one data flow out. 2. All processes should modify the incoming data, producing new forms of outgoing data. 3. Each data store must be involved with at least one data flow. 4. Each external entity must be involved with at least one data flow. 5. A data flow must be attached to at least one process.

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