Flowcharts

A flowchart is a diagrammatic representation of an algorithm. It uses standardised symbols connected by arrows to show the sequence of steps, decisions, and flow of control in a process. Flowcharts are an important part of GCSE Computer Science — you must be able to read, interpret, complete, and create flowcharts.

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Why Use Flowcharts?

Flowcharts are useful because:

• Visual representation — they make the logic of an algorithm easy to see at a glance
• Easy to follow — the flow of the algorithm is shown with arrows
• Good for showing decisions — branching logic (IF statements) is clearly represented
• Language-independent — like pseudocode, flowcharts do not depend on any programming language
• Help with debugging — you can trace through a flowchart to find logical errors

Exam Tip: Flowchart questions are common in GCSE Computer Science exams. You may be asked to trace through a flowchart, complete a missing part, identify the output, or draw a flowchart from a description. Always follow the arrows carefully and use a trace table to track variable values.

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Standard Flowchart Symbols

You must know and use these standard symbols: