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Learning the specific shapes used to represent different types of actions in a flowchart.
Have you ever tried to explain how to tie a shoe to someone who has never seen a string? Computers are exactly like that—they need a perfect map of instructions to do anything!
Every great story has a beginning and an end. In the world of computer science, we call these the Terminators. We represent them using an Oval shape. Think of the oval as the 'doorway' to your instructions. You can only enter the flowchart through the 'Start' oval and leave through the 'End' oval. Without these, a computer wouldn't know when to wake up or when to stop working, which could lead to a waste of energy!
Quick Check
If you are drawing a flowchart for 'Making Cereal,' what shape would the words 'Finished Eating' go inside?
Answer
An Oval (the End Terminator).
When you need to actually do something, you use a Rectangle. This is called a Process symbol. It represents a single step where an action happens. For example, 'Add Milk' or 'Fold Paper' are processes. In a flowchart, we keep these steps simple. If you have two different actions, you usually use two different rectangles connected by an arrow. If you have steps, you will likely have rectangles!
Let's map out the process of brushing your teeth: 1. Oval: Start 2. Arrow: Points down 3. Rectangle: Put toothpaste on brush 4. Arrow: Points down 5. Rectangle: Brush for 2 minutes 6. Arrow: Points down 7. Oval: End
What happens if you need to make a choice? We use a Diamond shape for Decisions. Inside the diamond, we always ask a question that can be answered with 'Yes' or 'No' (or 'True' or 'False'). Unlike the rectangle, which has only one arrow coming out of the bottom, the diamond has two arrows coming out of it—one for each possible answer. This allows the 'flow' of your map to change based on the situation.
Deciding whether to take an umbrella: 1. Oval: Start 2. Diamond: Is it raining? 3. Arrow (Yes): Leads to a Rectangle that says 'Grab Umbrella'. 4. Arrow (No): Leads straight to the End Oval. 5. Rectangle: 'Grab Umbrella' then points to the End Oval.
Quick Check
How many arrows should leave a Decision Diamond?
Answer
Two arrows (one for Yes/True and one for No/False).
This uses a 'loop' to repeat an action: 1. Start: Oval 2. Rectangle: Do one math problem. 3. Diamond: Are there more problems? 4. Arrow (Yes): Points back up to the 'Do one math problem' rectangle. 5. Arrow (No): Points down to the End oval. This creates a loop that repeats until the condition is met!
Which shape would you use for the instruction: 'Turn on the light'?
What is the specific name for the Oval shape in a flowchart?
A Decision Diamond can have three or more arrows pointing to different answers like 'Maybe' or 'Sometimes'.
Review Tomorrow
Tomorrow morning, try to visualize your breakfast routine as shapes. Which parts are rectangles (actions) and which are diamonds (choices)?
Practice Activity
Draw a flowchart for 'Finding a matching pair of socks.' Use at least one diamond to check if the socks match!