Systems and Program Mapping Tools in Programming:
A System Flow Chart is a diagram that represents the components of the system and how each of the components interacts. The flow chart documents processes, flows in logic, and the outcomes of processes. This tool is mainly used as a visual aid with which to explain how everything within the system ties together, or how each of the components interacts with the others.
Structure Charts diagram the breakdown of a system to its simplest manageable parts. The structure chart displays the program and its components in tree form, in which the program is the head of the tree (The chart uses a Top-down design to represent the structure, as the program itself resides at the top), and its components are broken down and branched to produce a hierarchy. In this display, each module is a box containing its name. When viewing the Structure Chart, one can see the relationship between the parts (modules) that make up the program.
Detail Program Logic is a used to determine whether or not a system has accomplished its objective (or sequence of objectives) based on inputs and resulting outcomes. Since a program is built with a desired result, this diagram helps one to test for inconsistencies or variations from that result, and then chart it so that one can determine the factor that caused it. These charts usually flow left to right, with the chain branching and expanding as one moves further to the right. With this, it becomes increasingly difficult to determine the single factor (or combination of factors) that created the result.
Systems and Program Mapping Tools outside Programming:
While the scope in which these tools can be used is vast, there is very little variation from their concept within programming.
The concept of the flow chart is something that is used every day, even if one is not conscious of the definition. Whether it be something that was read or something that was thought out, a person will often times use a flow chart with something like addressing an issue with a car not starting.
If a person's car won't start, they tend to go through mental flow chart
- Have I inserted the correct key and turned the ignition? If "yes", move on. If "no", try it (duh).
- Do any of the lights turn on? If "yes" move over to another branch. If "no" go to the battery.
- And so on…
In following this train of thought (or model), one results in eliminating possibilities until one has arrived at the outcome.
The Structure Chart diagram is a visual representation of the whole system. If we take the pizza example from the earlier post, one can map out the structure of the pizza, from the finished product to its comprising ingredients.
Detail Program Logic can be applied to things such as promotional campaigns in which one wishes to compare them.
A company would attempt to determine how much resources it would take to reach their desired audience of consumers. They would input these resources (such a money) to produce a campaign or commercial. If the viewers of the commercial react and purchase a product, then that would imply that the campaign causes sales to go up.
Detail Program Logic will determine if the effort really did result in the outcome, or if it were coincidence, or if the outcome could have been better. By mapping out the details, the company will be able to have a better impact the next time, if they can ensure that they match their previous attempt (or improved attempt).
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