System Analysis & Design
Lecture-09
Data Flow
Diagram
Presented By:
Dr. Abhishek
Kumar
Introduction
A Data Flow Diagram (DFD) is a traditional visual
representation of the information flows within a
system. A neat and clear DFD can depict the right
amount of the system requirement graphically. It can
be manual, automated, or a combination of both.
It shows how data enters and leaves the system, what
changes the information, and where data is stored.
The objective of a DFD is to show the scope and
boundaries of a system as a whole. It may be used as
a communication tool between a system analyst and
any person who plays a part in the order that acts as
a starting point for redesigning a system. The DFD is
also called as a data flow graph or bubble chart.
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The following observations
about DFDs are essential:
All names should be unique. This makes it easier to refer
to elements in the DFD.
Remember that DFD is not a flow chart. Arrows is a flow
chart that represents the order of events; arrows in DFD
represents flowing data. A DFD does not involve any order
of events.
Suppress logical decisions. If we ever have the urge to
draw a diamond-shaped box in a DFD, suppress that urge!
A diamond-shaped box is used in flow charts to represents
decision points with multiple exists paths of which the only
one is taken. This implies an ordering of events, which
makes no sense in a DFD.
Do not become bogged down with details. Defer error
conditions and error handling until the end of the analysis.
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Symbols used in DFD
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Contd..
Circle: A circle (bubble) shows a process that
transforms data inputs into data outputs.
Data Flow: A curved line shows the flow of data
into or out of a process or data store.
Data Store: A set of parallel lines shows a place
for the collection of data items. A data store
indicates that the data is stored which can be used
at a later stage or by the other processes in a
different order. The data store can have an element
or group of elements.
Source or Sink: Source or Sink is an external
entity and acts as a source of system inputs or sink
of system outputs.
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Levels in Data Flow Diagrams
(DFD)
The DFD may be used to perform a system
or software at any level of abstraction.
Infact, DFDs may be partitioned into levels
that represent increasing information flow
and functional detail. Levels in DFD are
numbered 0, 1, 2 or beyond. Here, we will
see primarily three levels in the data flow
diagram, which are: 0-level DFD, 1-level
DFD, and 2-level DFD.
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0-level DFD
It is also known as fundamental system model, or
context diagram represents the entire system
requirement as a single bubble with input and
output data denoted by incoming and outgoing
arrows.
Then the system is decomposed and described as
a DFD with multiple bubbles. Parts of the system
represented by each of these bubbles are then
decomposed and documented as more and more
detailed DFDs.
This process may be repeated at as many levels as
necessary until the program at hand is well
understood.
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1-level DFD
In 1-level DFD, a context diagram is
decomposed into multiple
bubbles/processes. In this level, we
highlight the main objectives of the system
and breakdown the high-level process of 0-
level DFD into sub-processes.
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2-Level DFD
2-level DFD goes one process deeper into
parts of 1-level DFD. It can be used to
project or record the specific/necessary
detail about the system's functioning.
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Thank You
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