Overview
This Flowgorithm Tutorial is a beginner’s guide to get started with the
flowchart tool. Flowgorithm is a free flowchart software that lets you create runnable flowcharts.
Flowgorithm Tutorial
Flowgorithm is a visual programming language designed for beginners and students to learn programming skills. The flowchart tool is implemented using the Microsoft C# and is based on the .NET 4 Framework.
Origin of the Name
Flowgorithm = Flowchart + Algorithm
The name is the fusion of two English words: “Flowchart” and “Algorithm”.
Algorithm
An algorithm can be defined as a set of step-by-step instructions or a series of steps used to solve a problem or complete a task.
We can break down the algorithm using an IPO chart.
Flowchart
A flowchart is a visual representation of the algorithm. It uses a visual or graphical modeling language to represent the flow of control, execution of the algorithm, and instructions.
About Flowgorithm
Author
The author of Flowgorithm software is Devin Cook |
Flowgorithm Logo |
Flowgorithm Versions
The major versions of the flowchart software are as follows:
- 4. x ( Features in version 4 )
- 3. x ( Features in version 3 )
💻 Benefits of Flowgorithm
📥Download & Install
The Flowgorithm software uses a Windows Installer and also supports silent installation. Steps to install the software on the Windows operating system:
🔄 Update Flowgorithm
The latest version is Flowgorithm 4.0. To update the flowchart tool from an older version:
The below steps update the tool:
👩💻Flowgorithm Features
Software programs are written using a text editor or IDE ( Integrated Development Environment). Depending on the programming language, this can be easy or difficult for a beginner. Flowgorithm is a visual programming language. It allows the programmer to visually add flowchart symbols to the flowchart and then execute them to verify the output. Flowgorithm supports many i18n languages. We can create flowcharts in the localized language.
🛠️ Tool Components
Toolbar Icons
Flowgorithm Menu and the Toolbar icons:
Flowchart Symbols
The Flowgorithm flowchart visually represents algorithms using symbols such as rectangles, rhombuses, parallelograms, and diamonds.
Flowgorithm uses symbols to represent the different actions we want the program to perform. Each shape has a precise, logical meaning. The shape contains a textual indication that describes the activity to be performed. The sequence in which the operations must be performed is shown with connecting arrows.
Flowgorithm Data Types
📃 Flowgorithm Source File
The Flowgorithm source files have an XML(Extensible Markup Language) structure. XML is a standard way of encoding data for processing and exchange across applications on the Web. Flowgorithm source files have *.fprg file extensions. We can edit the *.fprg source file directly with text editors.
Comment Statement
Flowchart Comments are for other programmers, students, and instructors. They allow others to understand your program and logic.
Input/Output Statement
Basic flowchart input and output statements:
⚙️Execute Flowchart
Students can run and execute the flowcharts using the Flowgorithm software. The flowchart execution starts with the “Main” function, which has no parameters. It runs from the top to the bottom symbol, starting with the Main flowchart symbol and ending with the End symbol.
🙋🏻♀️ Hello World Flowchart
A common way to learn something new is to create a simple “Hello World” program with the programming language or tools we are learning. The “Hello World” Flowgorithm flowchart prints the “Hello World” message on the output console window.
Sample Flowchart
Sample Flowgorithm flowchart with an output symbol:
Identifiers
An identifier is a name assigned to a particular variable, function, procedure, or user-defined item. It labels a specific memory location where data is stored or actions are carried out.
Declare Statement
Assign Statement
A rectangle indicates an assignment statement. It is where a variable is given a new value.
Variables
Layout Windows
Take User Input
If Control
🔃 Loops
Loops allow the repetition of statements in the flowchart. Consider the simple example of printing a hundred numbers. We must add a hundred output statements to the flowchart to print the numbers without loops. This will make the flowchart too big and look cumbersome.
Loop structures allow the repetition of statements. So, with a loop, we can add a single Output statement and iterate the loop a hundred times.
While Loop
For Loop
Do While Loop
Nested For Loop
We can nest loop statements inside another loop statement.
💻 Functions
A function is a set of instructions that accomplishes a particular and well-defined task. If tasks require repetition, functions can be created.
Flowgorithm functions can be broadly divided into two groups:
- Intrinsic or Built-in Functions
- User-defined Functions
Built-in Functions
The flowchart software already predefines built-in functions. The Flowgorithm supports over 20 predefined functions.
User-defined Functions
The programmer defines user-defined functions. The programmer can design their own functions and invoke them in the flowchart. We can define the function once and reuse the function.
Call Statement
The Call statement allows the programmer to invoke functions.
Function Parameters
The programmer can pass information to the functions using the parameters.
🌿Recursion
The Flowgorithm supports recursion. A recursive function is a function that calls itself.
👩🏻💻Generate Code
Flowgorithm can interactively create source code for the flowchart in many supported programming languages. We can run programs directly in Flowgorithm. Flowgorithm can also convert the flowchart into many high-level popular language source codes. These include:
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Arrays
An array is a data structure that contains a collection of items. The items stored in an array should be of the same data type. For example, an array that holds Integers can only store whole numbers. Using Arrays, we can store, search, sort, or retrieve data easily.
Flowgorithm Turtle Graphics
Flowgorithm 3.0 introduces a new feature and capability to draw Turtle graphics.
Turtle Graphics Example
File I/O
Flowgorithm 3.0 introduces file capabilities like reading and writing text files from the flowchart.
File Symbols
Read Text File
Write Text File
Export Flowchart
We can export the Floworithm flowchart to an image file. Flowgorithm supports export to PNG(Portable Network Graphics) and SVG(Scalable Vector Graphics) image files.