Flowchart nodes permitted in any order? - flowchart

Question

I'm writing the instructions for a process. Steps C, D, and E must be done between Step B and Step F, but they can be done in any order. What's the best way to show that in a flowchart?
In what I hope is a related question: If Step X can be performed at any point between Step F and Step K, how would I signify that on a flowchart?

Answer 1

I'm writing the instructions for a process. Steps C, D, and E must be done between Step B and Step F, but they can be done in any order. What's the best way to show that in a flowchart?
The best way is up to you. There are different ways, some are easier to program--others are easier to explain. And, while you only ask about process; there is, at least, some similarity between programming a computer and instructing others.
The first diagram shows the various routes that may be taken. These routes are presented using something like a state diagram, without noting the context of the transitions. The context required is next; that is, I did this--what's next.. There are six combinations each with four paths, to cover all possibilities.
Although I used simple process symbols in the following; any could need a predefined process symbol, if they are (or could be) diagrammed with a separate flowchart.
The second diagram has two implementation choices. (Using C psuedocode to explain.)
Using a for statement,
int next[3]; // next is prepared elsewhere,
// because each next[] value is unique there can be no repetition
{
b();
for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++)
{
case 1: c();
case 2: d();
case 3: e();
}
f();
}
Or, for old time state machine people, using goto statements (Note that goto is often used in instructions for US income tax forms and may be useful for instructing others, in other contexts.)
int next[4]; // next is prepared elsewhere, next[3] defaults to 4 or F
int i = 0;
{
b();
switch (next[i++])
{
case 1: goto C;
case 2: goto D;
case 3: goto E;
default: goto F;
}
C: c(); // do the C thing
switch (next[i++])
{
case 1: goto C;
case 2: goto D;
case 3: goto E;
default: goto F;
}
D: d(); // do the D thing
switch (next[i++])
{
case 1: goto C;
case 2: goto D;
case 3: goto E;
default: goto F;
}
E: e(); // do the E thing
switch (next[i++])
{
case 1: goto C;
case 2: goto D;
case 3: goto E;
default: goto F;
}
F: f();
}
The third diagram uses nested if statements,
int next[3]; // next is prepared elsewhere, next[3] is not used
{
b();
if (next[0] == 1)
{
c();
if (next[1] == 2)
{
d();
e();
}
else
{
e();
d();
}
}
else if (next[0]) == 2)
{
d();
if (next[1] == 1)
{
c();
e();
}
else
{
e();
c();
}
}
else if (next[0] == 3)
{
e();
if (next[1] == 1)
{
c();
d();
}
else
{
d();
c();
}
}
f();
}
The fourth diagram uses a switch statement for the required pattern,
int pattern; // prepared elsewhere, values 1 through 6
{
b();
switch (pattern)
{
case 1:
{
c();
d();
e();
}
case 2:
{
c();
e();
d();
}
case 3:
{
d();
c();
e();
}
case 4:
{
d();
e();
c();
}
case 5:
{
e();
c();
d();
}
case 6:
{
e();
d();
c();
}
}
f();
}
In what I hope is a related question: If Step X can be performed at any point between Step F and Step K, how would I signify that on a flowchart?
{
f();
if (condition) x();
g();
if (condition) x();
h();
if (condition) x();
i();
if (condition) x();
j();
if (condition) x();
k();
}