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Over the weekend, I thought up an analogy for DFDs versus the Old Way.
DFD is "C.S.I." The Old Way is "Law and Order." (Definition of terms in quotes is found below.)
C.S.I. investigators follow the physical evidence, wherever it leads. Investigators start in one corner of a room and scrutinize every square inch systematically.
Law and Order detectives "follow the lie". They create a theory of the crime (draw some boxes) and talk to witnesses who can confirm or disprove the theory, which leads to modifications of the theory (different boxes).
C.S.I. personnel disparage detectives.
Detectives disparage C.S.I. geeks.
However, neither of the approaches can be pure. They interact with one another.
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Definition of terms:
"C.S.I." is a popular American television franchise following forensic Crime Scene Investigators who solve mysteries by collecting and analyzing physical evidence from suspicious sites.
"Law and Order" is a popular American television franchise following, in part, plainclothes detectives who solve mysteries by interviewing suspects and witnesses to ferret out discrepancies in stories.
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