STRUCTURE CHARTS

Lecture Notes

A structure chart (module chart, hierarchy chart) is a graphic depiction of the decomposition of a problem. It is a tool to aid in software design. It is particularly helpful on large problems.

A structure chart illustrates the partitioning of a problem into subproblems and shows the hierarchical relationships among the parts. A classic "organization chart" for a company is an example of a structure chart.

The top of the chart is a box representing the entire problem, the bottom of the chart shows a number of boxes representing the less complicated subproblems. (Left-right on the chart is irrelevant.)

A structure chart is NOT a flowchart. It has nothing to do with the logical sequence of tasks. It does NOT show the order in which tasks are performed. It does NOT illustrate an algorithm.

Each block represents some function in the system, and thus should contain a verb phrase, e.g. "Print report heading."
 

Examples

Making an Italian Dinner

ATM machine

Make a Concordance

Common Errors in structure charts


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