Structured Analysis

Main tools used

Data flow diagram (DFD) Data Dictionary Structured English Decision Trees Decision Tables

Data Flow Diagram

Graphical representation of the logical flow of data. Square : represents source/destination

Employee

Arrow : identifies data flow

Data Flow Diagram

Circle/bubble : a process

Open rectangle: a data store

Data Flow Diagram

Illustration
Employee

Accounts Dept

Emp Data

Payroll Processing

Salary Statement

Updated Data

Employee File

Data Dictionary
Provides definitions for all elements in the system which include:

Meaning of data flows and stores in DFDs Composition of the data flows e.g. customer address breaks down to street number, street name, city and postcode Composition of the data in stores e.g. in Customer store include name, date of birth, address, credit rating etc. Details of the relationships between entities

Data Dictionary Notations

= + () {} [] ** @ | name = courtesy-title = first-name = middle-name = last-name = legal-character = is composed of and optional ( may be present or absent) iteration select one of several alternatives comment identifier (key field) for store separates alternative choices in the [ ] construct courtesy-title + first-name + (middle-name) + last-name [Mr. | Miss | Mrs. | Ms. | Dr. | Professor] {legal-character} {legal-character} {legal-character} [A-Z|a-z|0-9||-| |]

Data Dictionary Examples

Current-height = ** *units: metres; range: 1.00-2.50* ** *values: [M|F]*

sex =

As both are elementary data, no composition need be shown, though an explanation of the relevant units/symbols is needed order = customer-name + shipping-address + 1{item}10

means that an order always has a customer name and a shipping address and has between 1 and 10 items

Structured English
Used to represent logic
Common Statements Action Statement Example Profits = Revenues - Expenses Generate Inventory - Report Add Product record to Product Data Store IF Customer Not in Customer Data Store THEN Add Customer record to Customer Data Store ELSE Add Current-Sale to Customers Total-Sales Update Customer record in Customer Data Store FOR all Customers in Customer Data Store Generate a new line in the Customer-Report Add Customers Total-Sales to Report-Total CASE If Income < 10,000: Marginal-tax-rate = 10% If Income < 20,000: Marginal-tax-rate = 20% If Income < 30,000: Marginal-tax-rate = 31% If Income < 40,000: Marginal-tax-rate = 35% ELSE Marginal-tax-rate = 38% ENDCASE

If Statement

For Statement

Case Statement

Decision Tree
Processing logic represented in a tree structure.
Types of Customer ---------------Size of Order ---------------Discount ----------------

Dealer

6 or more
Less than 6

35%
Nil

Discount Policy Educational Institution 50 or more 20-49 6-19 <6 30% 20% 15% Nil

Decision Table
A matrix of rows and columns that shows conditions and actions. A decision table consists of 4 sections
Condition Entry: Condition stub: Questions or Rules to be followed conditions to be met. Action stub: Actions to be followed Action entry: Actions to be taken

Decision Table
Illustration - The cash a cheque table
Cheque Cashing Policy Type of Cheque Rule 1 Rule 2 Rule 3 Rule 4 Rule 5

Personal Payroll

Personal Payroll

Other

Check amt yes <= $750 Employer preapproved? Cash the Cheque Reject the Cheque doesnt matter X

doesnt No matter yes doesnt matter

doesnt doesnt matter matter no doesnt matter

X X X
X

Structured Tools Prons & Cons

Pros DFD Represent data flows. Used at high or low level analysis. Good system documentation Cons Weakly shows i/p & o/p. confuses users initially

Data Dictionary

Simplify the structure for meeting No functional details data requirement Detailed data flow not possible

Structured Best describes sequence of English action with decision

Decision tree
Decision table

Problems with complex decisions -do resulting in limited actions

Complex branching routines -do-