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Jul 9th, 2006

pls check flowchart for errors/inefficiencies

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Hi All,

I've converted the pseudocode from this thread into a flowchart, and I'd greatly appreciate if anyone can point out any errors and/or inefficiences in the represented coding. as posted in the above referenced thread, the flowchart represents a solution for a chapter exercise, as follows: "The problem states that a library records monthly book withdrawls, capturing the Library of Congress Number, Author and Title, for each month (sorted by the Library of Congress Number for each withdrawl). The initial problem required the merger of the January and Feburary files - which I was able to do without difficulty, but the follow-on problem required that any redundant records, regardless of file of origin, not be written to the merged file."

Thanks!

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aeinstein

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Jul 9th, 2006

Re: pls check flowchart for errors/inefficiencies

[rant]flow charts are evil little critters and should be banned from all educational institutions. I've never seen anyone create or use them outside the university. And most programming books don't even talk about them.[/rant]

Ancient Dragon

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Re: pls check flowchart for errors/inefficiencies

On the contrary, I find them pretty useful. Both as a communicating tool, since pseudocode can differ according to the person, and as a tool to understand the algorithm better. For example I couldn't make head or tail out of the OP's pseudocode, since I am not used to pseudocode like that. But the flowchart was easier to understand. But this may depend on personal preferrence.

@aeinstein :- Glanced at the flow chart and it looked okay to me. What was the tool you used to draw it? Was it a free tool?

WolfPack

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Re: pls check flowchart for errors/inefficiencies

[aside]
I tend to agree with 'Dragon here. Like comments that don't match the code, a flowchart may not match the implementation code. And then you get to debug in two places -- the flowchart and the actual code. Which one is correct? Bleah. And the implementation always seems to have last minute details that aren't reflected in the flowchart.

But bosses and such like flowcharts. And laying out an initial design can be beneficial. I just don't look at them as gospel, merely the initial skeletal framework.
[/aside]

Dave Sinkula

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Re: pls check flowchart for errors/inefficiencies

Quote originally posted by WolfPack ...

On the contrary, I find them pretty useful. Both as a communicating tool, since pseudocode can differ according to the person, and as a tool to understand the algorithm better. For example I couldn't make head or tail out of the OP's pseudocode, since I am not used to pseudocode like that. But the flowchart was easier to understand. But this may depend on personal preferrence.

@aeinstein :- Glanced at the flow chart and it looked okay to me. What was the tool you used to draw it? Was it a free tool?

MS Paint (painstakingly produced!) saved as .bmp & converted to .jpg via IrfanView (v3.98, downloaded via CNET) (I only use it to convert images, but for that use, at least, it's a great free-ware product). After this experience I think Visio 2003 Professional Academic is not a too distant purchase!!! Btw, before this particular exercise I was not a fan of flowcharting, but I was able to follow the flow of the program much easier with the flowchart that I produced versus the pseudocode that I produced, so I now consider myself a convert! :lol:

Thanks for the feedback!

Last edited by aeinstein; Jul 9th, 2006 at 5:07 pm.

aeinstein

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Re: pls check flowchart for errors/inefficiencies

Yes, I agree.

Without doubt, flowcharts are excellent devices for planning out the layout of a complicated program. And a must for newbies and definitely useful for schools and universities.

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