flow chart
    n 1: a diagram of the sequence of operations in a computer
         program or an accounting system [syn: flow chart,
         flowchart, flow diagram, flow sheet]

flow chart

    An archaic form of visual control-flow
   specification employing arrows and "speech balloons" of
   various shapes.

   Hackers never use flow charts, consider them extremely silly,
   and associate them with COBOL programmers, card wallopers,
   and other lower forms of life.  This attitude follows from the
   observations that flow charts (at least from a hacker's point
   of view) are no easier to read than code, are less precise,
   and tend to fall out of sync with the code (so that they
   either obfuscate it rather than explaining it, or require
   extra maintenance effort that doesn't improve the code).

   See also Program Design Language.

   [Jargon File]

   (1994-12-01)