A flowchart is a graphical representation of a process or algorithm that uses various shapes and symbols to illustrate the steps and decisions within the process. It's a visual way to represent the flow of control and data in a program. Here's a simple example of how you can create a flowchart for a basic algorithm using C language constructs:
Let's consider a flowchart for finding the maximum of two numbers.
Start: This is the starting point of your flowchart.
Input: Represented by a parallelogram, this symbol indicates where you input the two numbers.
Decision: Represented by a diamond shape, this symbol is used for conditions or decisions. For this example, you can use it to check if the first number is greater than the second number.
Process: Represented by a rectangle, this symbol shows any processing that needs to be done. In this case, it's calculating and storing the maximum.
Output: Another parallelogram symbol, it shows where you display the result (the maximum) on the screen.
End: This marks the end of your flowchart.
Here's the textual representation of the flowchart:In a C program, you would translate these flowchart elements into actual code. Here's an example using C code:
Remember, flowcharts are a visual aid to help you plan your program's logic before writing the actual code. They can be much more complex, depending on the algorithm or process you're representing.