System flowcharts
A system flowchart is a visual representation of processes, decisions, inputs and outputs that together form a system.
What is a system flowchart?
System flowcharts are a way of displaying how data 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.
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 then Data which is sent out of a system..
Using system flowchart ideas
This 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.
The flowchart shows what the outcome is if the car is going too fast or too slow. The system is designed to add fuel, or take it away and so keep the car's speed constant. The Data which is sent out of a system. (the car's new speed) is then fed back into the system via the speed A device that measures a physical quantity and converts it into a signal to be read and interpreted..
Other examples of uses for system diagrams include:
- aircraft control
- central heating
- automatic washing machines
- booking systems for airlines
Input and output
For the system to work there is an Data which is inserted into a system for processing and/or storage. and an Data which is sent out of a system.. The process is taking the input and doing something with it - modifying it in some way - and producing an output.
In a computer system the processing will be done by a An integrated circuit that contains all or most of the individual elements of a central processing unit (CPU). of some kind.
Feedback is the output fed back to the input. The cruise control flowchart is an example of negative feedback because the speed is always kept at the same value. Positive feedback would push the speed away from the desired value.
Inputs
Here are some examples of inputs:
- keyboard
- mouse
- microphone
- scanner
- camera
- pressure A device that measures a physical quantity and converts it into a signal to be read and interpreted.
- temperature sensor
- magnetic sensor
- moisture sensor
- light sensor
Outputs
Here are some examples of outputs:
- printers
- speakers
- motors
- A screen that displays output from a computer.
- heaters
- electromagnets
- bulbs/LEDs