Know the following definitions:

 

information stores: locations where information is kept for use by the system at later steps

 

DFD: data flow diagram

 

primitive data transform: a process that has a single input flow or a single output flow

 

data dictionary: a place to look up definitions of data elements

 

structure chart: a design graphic that shows modules (labeled rectangles), calling hierarchy (lines), and information passage (labeled arrows).

 

Be able to recreate the following lists:

 

4 elements in a data flow diagram:

data transforms (circles) 
information flows (arrows) 
information sources and sinks (rectangles) 
information stores (two parallel lines) 
 

2 things to watch for when decomposing DFD's:

Lower-level DFD inputs must match with the upper-level DFD being refined. 
Transforms are broken out on the basis of known information flows. 
 

3 tips about data dictionaries:

It should be alphabetic. 
Each definition should be clear, concise, and non-technical. 
Each definition should include each element (if structured), and an initial value (if applicable) and permissible values. 
 

Know how to:

 

assign heritage numbers during DFD refinements