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Understanding Data Flow Diagrams

A data flow diagram (DFD) is a graphical representation that shows how data moves through an information system. It displays external entities, processes, and data stores, and uses common symbols - processes are verb phrases, data flows show movement without verbs, and data stores and external entities are noun phrases. DFDs have several advantages, including being easy to understand, defining system boundaries, explaining data logic, and aiding documentation. Level 0 DFDs provide a basic overview of the whole system as a single process and its external entities, while Level 1 DFDs break this down into more specific modules and data flows.

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Paolo Tenorio
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76 views12 pages

Understanding Data Flow Diagrams

A data flow diagram (DFD) is a graphical representation that shows how data moves through an information system. It displays external entities, processes, and data stores, and uses common symbols - processes are verb phrases, data flows show movement without verbs, and data stores and external entities are noun phrases. DFDs have several advantages, including being easy to understand, defining system boundaries, explaining data logic, and aiding documentation. Level 0 DFDs provide a basic overview of the whole system as a single process and its external entities, while Level 1 DFDs break this down into more specific modules and data flows.

Uploaded by

Paolo Tenorio
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Data Flow Diagrams

What is a Data Flow Diagram?

⮚ A data flow diagram (DFD) is a graphical representation of the


movement of data between external entities, processes and data
stores within a system.

⮚ Simply put, DFD’s show how data moves through an information


system.
DFD Symbols
Process

⮚ The work or actions performed on data so


that they are transformed, stored, or
distributed.

⮚ Process labels should be verb phrases!


Data Flow

⮚ A path for data to move from one part


of the system to another.
⮚ Data in motion!
⮚ Arrows depict the movement of data.
⮚ NO VERBS
Data Store

⮚ Used in a DFD to represent data that the


system stores
⮚ Data at rest!
⮚ Labels should be noun phrases
⮚ (NO VERBS)
External Entity aka Source/Sink

⮚ The origin or destination of data!


⮚ This represents things outside of the
system.
⮚ Source – Entity that supplies data to the
system.
⮚ Sink – Entity that receives data from the
system.
⮚ The labels should be noun phrases!
General DFD Rules
Advantages of DFDs

⮚ Simple graphical techniques which are easy to understand

⮚ Helps define the boundaries of the system

⮚ Useful for communicating current system knowledge to users

⮚ Explains the logic behind the data flow within the system

⮚ Used as the part of system documentation file


DFD Level 0

DFD Level 0 is also called a Context Diagram. It’s a basic overview of the
whole system or process being analyzed or modeled. It’s designed to be an
at-a-glance view, showing the system as a single high-level process, with its
relationship to external entities. It should be easily understood by a wide
audience, including stakeholders, business analysts, data analysts and
developers.
DFD level 1

The level 0 DFD is broken down into more specific, Level 1 DFD. Level 1 DFD
depicts basic modules in the system and flow of data among various modules.
Level 1 DFD also mentions basic processes and sources of information. It
provides a more detailed view of the Context Level Diagram. Here, the main
functions carried out by the system are highlighted as we break into its sub-
processes
Thank You!!!

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