Data flow diagram
A data flow diagram (DFD) is a graphical representation of how data moves through a system, showing data sources, processes, data stores, and external entities.
In depth
Data flow diagrams are the canonical way to document the data plane of a system. They distinguish between processes (circles or rounded rectangles) that transform data, data stores (open rectangles) that persist data, external entities (squares) that supply or consume data, and data flows (arrows) that connect them.
DFDs are usually drawn at multiple levels — Level 0 (context), Level 1 (major processes), Level 2+ (decomposition). The Yourdon-DeMarco and Gane-Sarson notations are the most common.
OpenCharts supports DFD-style nodes (process, data store, external entity, data flow) with auto-layout suitable for both context and decomposition diagrams.
Also known as
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ER diagram
An entity-relationship (ER) diagram is a data-modeling diagram that shows entities (database tables or objects), their attributes, and the relationships between them.
System context diagram
A system context diagram is a high-level architecture diagram that shows a system as a single box at the center, surrounded by the people and external systems it interacts with.
Process map
A process map is a visual representation of a workflow that documents the sequence of steps, decision points, and handoffs needed to complete a business outcome.