A visual diagram that represents the steps of an algorithm using standard shapes: ovals for start and end, rectangles for processes or actions, diamonds for decisions (yes/no questions), parallelograms for input/output, and arrows to show the flow of execution between steps.
A flowchart is a map of your algorithm — you can trace the path from start to finish and see every decision point along the way.
Showing a random 20 of 50 problems.
Example 1
easy
In a flowchart, which shape represents a DECISION (yes/no question)?
Example 2
medium
Should the same flowchart be shown to engineers and to first-time users?
Example 3
easy
Which flowchart shape represents INPUT or OUTPUT (e.g., read a number, print a result)?
Example 4
hard
Compare: when is a flowchart better than pseudocode, and when is pseudocode better?
Example 5
medium
A diamond in a flowchart has only ONE outgoing arrow. What defect is this?
Example 6
medium
A flowchart shows a process box that points back to itself with no decision in between. What problem is this?
Example 7
challenge
A flowchart's two branches of a decision both rejoin the same downstream rectangle. What programming construct does this rejoin represent?
Example 8
medium
Describe the flowchart for a program that reads a number and outputs whether it is positive, negative, or zero.
Example 9
medium
Why is a flowchart useful for explaining a loop with a parent or non-programmer?
Example 10
easy
True or false: arrows in a flowchart show the order of execution.
Example 11
medium
Trace: Start -> [x=10] -> <x>5?> yes-> [x=x-5] -> back to diamond; no-> [print x]. What prints?
Example 12
easy
What does an oval shape in a flowchart represent?
Example 13
medium
Trace a loop flowchart: Start -> [i=1, s=0] -> <i <= 3?> --yes--> [s=s+i; i=i+1] -> back to diamond; --no--> [print s]. What prints?
Example 14
hard
Trace: Start -> [n=20,c=0] -> <n>1?> yes-> [if n even: n=n/2 else n=3n+1; c=c+1] back; no-> print c -> End. What prints? (Collatz from 20)