What is the difference between a data flow diagram and a flow chart?

flowchart
Rahul Vyas picture Rahul Vyas · Apr 1, 2009 · Viewed 123k times · Source

I want to know why we use Data Flow Diagrams instead of flow charts.

Answer

paxdiablo picture paxdiablo · Apr 1, 2009

A flow chart details the processes to follow. A DFD details the flow of data through a system.

In a flow chart, the arrows represent transfer of control (not data) between elements and the elements are instructions or decision (or I/O, etc).

In a DFD, the arrows are actually data transfer between the elements, which are themselves parts of a system.

Wikipedia has a good article on DFDs here.

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