Session 7

Data Flow Diagram

 Contents
• Definition Data Flow Diagram
• Symbol and Rules
• Diagram Context
• DFD level 1
• Case Example
 Data Flow Diagram
• Data Flow Diagram is a diagram to show input data flow from
external entity to system and output data flow from system to
external entity
• External entity could be actor, external system, etc
• A data flow diagram (DFD) is a graphical tool that allows
system analysts (and system users) to depict the flow of data
in an information system.
• DFD is design to model procedural system rather than object
oriented system
 Data Flow Diagram
The DFD is one of the methods that system analysts use to
collect information necessary to determine information system
requirements.
 DFD Symbols and Definitions

• Process - performs some action on data,

Process such as creates, modifies, stores, delete,
etc. Can be manual or supported by
computer.

• Data store - information that is kept and

Data accessed. May be in paper file folder or a
store database.

• External entity - is the origin or destination

External of data. Entities are external to the
system.
Entity
• Data flow - the flow of data into or out of a
Data flow process, datastore or entity
Rules for Drawing DFD’s
A minimum of one data flow
in and one data flow out of
a process

A datastore must be
connected to a process
(either in, out, or both)

An external entity must

be connected to a process
(either in, out, or both)

A single data flow must

only flow one way
DFD: Common Mistakes

• Process has no data flowing into

it, but has data flowing out.

• Data store is hooked to external

entity. This means external entity
can read and write to your data file
without auditing!!

• The data flow goes in two

directions at once. Two or more
arrows should be used to show
the flow to and from each process.
 Level of DFD
• Context Diagram
• Level 0 DFD
• Level 1 DFD
• ... Etc
Case Example
Case Example
Case Example
Case Example
Case Example
 Case Example
• Discuss about DFD level 2 for this case
example
 References
• Britton, C.. (2005). A student Guide to Object Oriented
Development. 01. Butterworth-Heinemann. Amsterdam.
ISBN: 978-0-7506-6123-2
Q&A