modularizing flowcharts

[Bal Simon <wordmuse -at- earthlink -dot- net>]

Hi,

I've got, as part of my current project, a task of creating and editing 
very complex flowcharts.  It seems to me that for even the most complex 
flows it should be possible to map them out simply, e.g., by tracing 
specific branches or building nested black boxes that one opens for ever 
greater detail, etc.

Example:

---------               ---------                   /\ 
  ----------                    /  \                         o o o
|       |               |        |                  /   \          yes 
 |        |                   /     \      no           o          o 

|  1   |   -------->  |  2     |    -------->  / 
d1  \      -------->    |    3  |     -------->   /  d2  \     -------->  o 
    O1     o
|       |               |        |                 \    / 
   |        |                   \    /                     o          o
---------               ---------                   \/ 
  ----------                     \/                          o o o
   /\                      /\                        | 
                                    |  yes
    |                       |                        | 
                                    |
    |                       |                        |  no 
                                   |
    ------------------------|------------------------| 
|
                            | 
|
                            | 
|
                            ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this example, I do not see an easy way to modularize the diagram.  I CAN 
map out specific branches, e.g.,


Branch A           1 - 2 - d1(no) - 1 ...
Branch B           1 - 2 - d1(yes) - 3 - d2(yes) - 2...
Branch C           1 - 2 - d1(yes) - 3 - d2(no) - O1

This enables me to quickly see which way the decisions (d1 and d2) need to 
go in order for me to reach the Output (O1): d1 has to be yes and d2 has to 
be no, or else we generate loops.

Does anyone have experience with this kind of thing.  Are there resources 
"out there" that deal with "diagram theory" and how to better construct them?

Thanks a lot.

Regards,
Bal

When the going gets tough, the smart start innovating more...
When the going gets easier, the smart continue to innovate.
<smile>Time to innovate!</smile>

http://www.1wordmuseplace.com/1st/home.htm
]] -at- ]]




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