Data Flow Diagram

Pemateri: Y. Priyadi
Versi 1 (September 2024)
 Concept of Data Flow Diagram

➢ IPO: Input → Process → Output

Data → Process → Information
➢ Data flow diagram is a graphical technique that
depicts information flow and the transforms that are
applied as data moves from input to output.

➢ DFDs use four basic symbols that represent processes,

data flows, data stores, and entities
▪ Gane and Sarson symbol set
▪ Yourdon symbol set
Source: [Link]
©2006 Ed Yourdon - rev. 013106
 Symbols for DFD
Yourdon notations (source: [Link])

External Entity or Entity:

External Source or destination of data
Entity

Process:
Process Action on data
name

Data Store:
Data store
Storage of data

Data Flow:
Data Transfer
Source: [Link]
©2006 Ed Yourdon - rev. 013106
 Creating a Set of DFDs
Create a graphical model of the information system
based on your fact-finding results
Performing three main tasks
– Step 1: Draw a context diagram
– Step 2: Draw a DFD level 1
– Step 3: Draw the lower-level diagrams

Source: [Link]
©2006 Ed Yourdon - rev. 013106
 Draw a Context Diagram
➢ Drawing Guidelines
1. Draw the context diagram so it fits on one page
2. Use the name of the information system as the process name in
the context diagram
3. Use unique names within each set of symbols
4. Do not cross lines
5. Provide a unique name and reference number for each process
6. Obtain user input and feedback

Source: [Link]
©2006 Ed Yourdon - rev. 013106
 External Entity
External entity represents the sources and destination
of data created by the system.
External entity represents the immediate interface of
the system with the external world.
When an external source of data is also a destination for
data, a loop or occurrence number may be used.
In case the destination or use of data created by the
process are not known, the flow simply points outside
the system. Similarly, data flows may originate from
“nowhere”.

Source: [Link]
©2006 Ed Yourdon - rev. 013106
 Process Boxes

Each processes box in a DFD describes an

action on data.
The Identifier. A number indicating the
sequence of the process.
The Action. A verb specifying the action on
which it is performed on the data.
The Actor or Place. A noun indicating who
performs the action or where it is performed.

Source:
[Link]
©2006 Ed Yourdon - rev.
013106
 Data Flow Arrows
Data flow arrows link all the process
boxes and data stores in DFDs.
Data flows should be labeled, except in
case the data flows into and out of
simple files.
DFDs show only the flow of data, not
materials.
A DFD depicts information flow without
explicit representation of procedural
logic (e.g., conditions or loops).
Source:
[Link]
©2006 Ed Yourdon - rev.
013106
 Data Store Rectangles
Data stores can be manual files or computer
files. The type of file is not indicated.
Only in case the data store is altered the flow
is not indicated. A simple access is not
indicated.
A data store is never the direct recipient of
unprocessed data from external sources or
from other data stores nor is data from a data
store ever directly delivered to an external
sources. There must be a process step in
between.
Source:
[Link]
©2006 Ed Yourdon - rev.
013106
 Rules for Constructing DFD

Source:
[Link]
©2006 Ed Yourdon - rev.
013106
DFD Not Allowed Flows

Source:
[Link]
©2006 Ed Yourdon - rev.
013106
 DFD Not Allowed Flows

If part of our system

Source: If not part of our flow ignore

[Link]
©2006 Ed Yourdon - rev.
013106
 Data Flows
➢ Only one direction of flow between processes

Source:
[Link]
©2006 Ed Yourdon - rev.
013106
 Data Flows
➢ Joins & forks allowed only if exactly the same
data

Source:
[Link]
©2006 Ed Yourdon - rev.
013106
 Data Flows
➢ Cannot go directly back to the process it
leaves

➢ The figure incorrect if .........

Source:
[Link]
©2006 Ed Yourdon - rev.
013106
 DFD Rules
Incorrect Correct

Source:
[Link]
©2006 Ed Yourdon - rev.
013106
DFD Rules Incorrect Correct

Source: [Link]
©2006 Ed Yourdon - rev. 013106
 Correct
DFD Rules

Incorrect

Source: [Link]
©2006 Ed Yourdon - rev. 013106
Examples of Data Stores

Read

Read/
Write

Write

A data item is created

or deleted or updated in the
data store by
Source: a process
[Link]
©2006 Ed Yourdon - rev.
013106
Source: [Link]
©2006 Ed Yourdon - rev. 013106
23
 Balancing
➢ The conservation of input and output flows
through different levels

Source:
[Link]
©2006 Ed Yourdon - rev.
013106
Data Flows
Data which moves together should be shown
in a single data flow
Example of Context Diagram
(Let’s check with the rules together ^^ ...)

TRUE ? or FALSE ?
 TRUE ? or FALSE ?

Example of DFD Level 1

“Let’s check with the rules
together ^-^ ...”

Source:
[Link]
©2006 Ed Yourdon - rev.
013106
 Context Diagrams
(incomplete !!)

A context diagram is a top level (also known as Level 0) data flow diagram.
It only contains one process node (process 0) that generalizes the function
of the entire system in relationship to external entities.
Source: [Link]
©2006 Ed Yourdon - rev. 013106
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 Let’s check with the rules together ^-^
Level 2 Diagram

TRUE ? or FALSE ? Staff Members

Staff

5.1
Staff Set Client
Contact Contact
Contact

Adverts

5.2 Completion Date

© 2010 Bennett, McRobb and Farmer Set Advert

Completed

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Example: PROCESS SPECIFICATION (P-SPEC)
No. Process Description

Number of Process 1
Process Name Registration
Source Student
Input Identity1
Output Identity 2
…..
Destination Student Data Store
Process Logic 1. Student enter the identity (NIS,
name and school name)
2. The identity is saved in Data
Store

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THANK YOU