
or procedure, and it is a ready means of analyzing complex operations that cannot
easily be reduced to meaningful narrative description. Figure 8.1 shows some
standard flowchart symbols and a legend describing each symbol used. Sometimes
a simple sketch may suffice; at other times, it may be necessary to use plastic overlays
to describe detailed and complex operations. Figure 8.2 is an example of a formal
flowchart describing a complex operation. Flowcharts, however, need not be formal
or greatly detailed to accomplish the task. Table 8.1 is an ex ample of a simple, informal
flowchart.
Symbol Explanation
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