To understand what a system flowchart is, it helps to know that the most basic definition of a system is: a connection of parts that does something useful.

What is a system flowchart?

System flowcharts are a way of displaying how data [data:information without context, eg a list of students with numbers beside their names is data, when it's made clear that those numbers represent their placing in a 100 metre race, the data becomes information ] flows in a system and how decisions are made to control events.

To illustrate this, symbols are used. They are connected together to show what happens to data and where it goes. The basic ones include:

Symbols used in flow charts

Note that system flow charts are very similar to data flow charts. Data flow charts do not include decisions, they just show the path that data takes, where it is held, processed, and thenoutputoutput: A systems block or component that is activated by the process block. For example, this could be an LED, a buzzer or a motor..

Using system flowchart ideas

This system flowchartsystem flowchart: a visual representation of processes, decisions, inputs and outputs that together form a system is a diagram for a 'cruise control' for a car. The cruise control keeps the car at a steady speed that has been set by the driver.

A system flowchart for cruise control on a car

The flowchart shows what the outcome is if the…