Welcome back readers, today I’ll be discussing the difference between flowchart and algorithm. But before getting started, I want to discuss a bit about both the topics.
Flowchart
A flowchart is a diagram which represents different steps that can help in solving a problem. It is a diagram which is made step by step using different shapes and sizes of arrows which show their connection.
It was first introduced by Frank Gilbert in 1921. The chart consists of some mathematical shapes like arrows, square, rhombus or diamond, hexagon, parallelogram, etc.
Types of flowchart:
- Document flowchart
- Diagram flowchart
- System flowchart
- Data flowchart
It is a flow of information that illustrates a solution model to a particular program. It is the pictorial form of representation of a process and algorithm is done using a step by step process.
Algorithm
An algorithm is a step by step process which is used in solving mathematical or sometimes computational problems. The word ‘algorithm’ came from al-Khwarizmi. He was a Persian astronomer, geographer, mathematician and scholar.
Other ways of classification for algorithms is through the means of recursion, serial, parallel or distributed and they can be also viewed as controlled logical deduction.
An algorithm can be expressed in any language including natural language, programming language, pseudocode etc. They can be converted into flowcharts.
Flowchart vs Algorithm – Difference between Flowchart and Algorithm
| Flowchart | Algorithm |
| Block by block information diagram representing the data flow. | Step by step instruction representing the process of any solution. |
| Easy to understand by any person. | Bit difficult for the layman. |
| It uses symbols for processes and I/O. | No symbols are used, completely in text. |
| Have some rule to create. | No hard and fast rule. |
| Difficult to debug errors. | Easy to debug errors. |
| It is easy to make flowchart. | It is difficult to write algorithm as compared to flowchart. |
Now let’s discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both.
Advantages of Flowchart
- It is an easy and efficient way to analyze problem using a flowchart.
- It is easy in converting the flowchart into code as the logic can be understood easily.
- It is an efficient way of communicating and noobs can understand easily.
- It is easy in drawing a flowchart if you know the process.
Disadvantages of Flowchart
- Drawing a flowchart can be very time-consuming.
- Programs are not easier in debugging.
- If the flowchart is complex, writing code can be very confusing.
- Even the drawing of the flowchart will be complicated if the logic is complicated.
Advantages of Algorithm
- It makes the representation of a solution to a problem easy, which makes easier in understanding.
- It can be easily understood by a person without even having the knowledge of programming.
- It follows a definite procedure.
Disadvantages of Algorithm
- It takes very long in writing an algorithm.
- It is not a computer program, neither it helps in reducing the difficulties while writing a code.
If you have any doubts related to flowchart vs algorithm, then feel free to ask it in the comment section below.
brother i want to know the difference between pseudocode and algorithm
If there is algorithm than what is a need of flowcharts?
More convenient for business communication and a proper documentation .
Bhai algorithm and flow chart ke difference me tum ne likha hai algorithm bit difficult to understand for layman and advantage and disadvantages me tum ne likh hai algorithm it can be easily understood by any person. Bhai confuse hu doubt clear karo algorithm difficult to understand hai ya easy to understand hai
Flowchart ke comparison me algorithm difficult to understand hai. But without programming knowledge ke bhi koi bhi algorithm smajh sakta hai, ye iska advantage hai.
obviously, flowchart is easy to understand by any person.
instead of algorithm.
Its easy to understand in pictorial representation but it is also hard to remember the whole pictorial representation in algorithm and that’s why it seems like confusing to us.