---
title: "Flowchart and its symbols"
subject: "Computer Programming"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_1/computer_programming:flowchart-symbols"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_1/computer_programming/flowchart-symbols
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Flowchart and its symbols

Computer Programming · Chapter 2: Problem solving using Computer

- Asked in: 2072 Chaitra, 2+2+2 marks; 2070 Chaitra, 4 marks (asked 2 times)
- Video: [What Is a Flowchart? Explain With Symbols. || C language || In Hindi](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lMKAmF9bjE) — Easy Coder 
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_1/computer_programming/flowchart-symbols
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_1/computer_programming/chapter-2

## Question

What is a flowchart? Use the various commonly used flowchart symbols. How does a flowchart help computer programming?

## Short answer

A flowchart is a graphical representation of an algorithm using symbols: oval for start/stop, parallelogram for input/output, rectangle for process, diamond for decision, arrows for flow. It helps by visually showing logic, making coding easier, and aiding debugging and documentation.

## Answer

A **flowchart** is a graphical representation of an algorithm, showing the steps of a solution as symbols joined by arrows that show the flow of control.

#### Commonly used symbols

| Symbol | Name | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Oval (rounded box) | Terminal | Start or Stop |
| Parallelogram | Input/Output | Read or print data |
| Rectangle | Process | Calculation or assignment |
| Diamond | Decision | Condition with Yes/No (True/False) outputs |
| Circle | Connector | Joins parts of a flowchart, also to another page |
| Arrow | Flow line | Direction of flow |
| Hexagon | Preparation | Loop initialisation (in some notations) |

```text
 (Start) -> /Read A,B/ -> [S=A+B] -> /Print S/ -> (Stop)
```

#### How a flowchart helps programming
- Shows the logic visually before coding, so errors are found early.
- Makes coding easy because each box converts to a statement.
- Helps in understanding, explaining and documenting the program.
- Makes testing, debugging and later modification easier.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Start and Stop are drawn using
   A. a diamond
   B. a rectangle
   C. a parallelogram
   D. an oval
   Answer: D. Oval is the terminal symbol. (Key point: Terminal)

2. A diamond represents
   A. a decision with Yes/No exits
   B. input/output
   C. a process
   D. a connector
   Answer: A. Diamond is used for conditions. (Key point: Decision)

3. Read and Print are shown by
   A. a rectangle
   B. a parallelogram
   C. a circle
   D. a hexagon
   Answer: B. Parallelogram is I/O. (Key point: Input/output)

4. A flowchart helps programming because
   A. it replaces the compiler
   B. it executes the program
   C. it shows logic visually before coding so errors are found early
   D. it removes the need for testing
   Answer: C. It aids early error detection and coding. (Key point: Use of flowchart)

## Related in Computer Programming

- [Algorithm and flowchart help; Armstrong flowchart](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_1%2Fcomputer_programming%3Aalgorithm-flowchart-armstrong) — Computer Programming, chapter 2
- [Computer program and programming](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_1%2Fcomputer_programming%3Adefine-program-programming) — Computer Programming, chapter 2
- [Advantages of flowchart](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_1%2Fcomputer_programming%3Aflowchart-advantages) — Computer Programming, chapter 2, asked 2×
- [Algorithm and flowchart for largest](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_1%2Fcomputer_programming%3Aalgorithm-flowchart-largest-n) — Computer Programming, chapter 2
- [Guidelines for drawing flowchart](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_1%2Fcomputer_programming%3Aflowchart-guidelines) — Computer Programming, chapter 2
- [Flowchart to reverse integer](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_1%2Fcomputer_programming%3Aflowchart-reverse-number) — Computer Programming, chapter 2

## Related in other subjects

- [Non-restoring division with flowchart](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcomputer_organization_and_architecture%3Anonrestoring-explain) — Computer Organization and Architecture, chapter 5, asked 3×
- [Visibility symbols +, -, # in classes](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fobject_oriented_analysis_and_design%3Avisibility-signs-class-diagram) — Object Oriented Analysis and Design, chapter 3
- [Restoring division flowchart](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcomputer_organization_and_architecture%3Arestoring-flowchart) — Computer Organization and Architecture, chapter 5
- [Huffman encoding of symbols A to F](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fdata_structure_and_algorithm%3Ahuffman-encode-symbols) — Data Structure and Algorithm, chapter 6