Tools of Structured Analysis
Contents
Introduction
Data Flow Diagram
Data Dictionary
IPO and HIPO charts
Gantt Charts
Pseudo Codes
Flow Charts
Decision Tree
Decision Table
Introduction
Structured Analysis is a development method that allows the
analyst to understand the system and its activities in a logical
way.
It is a systematic approach, which uses graphical tools that
analyze and refine the objectives of an existing system and
develop a new system specification which can be easily
understandable by user.
It has following attributes −
It is graphic which specifies the presentation of application.
It divides the processes so that it gives a clear picture of
system flow.
It is logical rather than physical i.e., the elements of system
do not depend on vendor or hardware.
It is an approach that works from high-level overviews to
lower-level details.
Data Flow Diagram
It is a technique developed by Larry Constantine to express the
requirements of system in a graphical form.
It shows the flow of data between various functions of system and
specifies how the current system is implemented.
It is an initial stage of design phase that functionally divides the
requirement specifications down to the lowest level of detail.
Its graphical nature makes it a good communication tool between
user and analyst or analyst and system designer.
It gives an overview of what data a system processes, what
transformations are performed, what data are stored, what results
are produced and where they flow.
Basic Elements of DFD
DFD is easy to understand and quite effective when the
required design is not clear and the user wants a notational
language for communication.
1. Entity: It is represented by a rectangle and simply depicts a
source or termination of the diagram by mapping real-
world entities.
2. Process:It is represented by a circle and
depicts how the data is handled and processed
in the system.
3. Data Store: It is represented by two parallel lines
and depicts a location where data is stored in
the system.
4. Data Flow: It is represented by directional lines and depicts
the flow of data from one location to another.
Types of DFD
DFDs are of two types: Physical DFD and Logical DFD. The
following table lists the points that differentiate a physical
DFD from a logical DFD.