Algorithms and flowcharts are two processes used in computer programming to construct various systems. However, the intersection of their functions might confuse them as the same thing. Keep reading to understand the difference between them.
Table Summary
| FLOWCHART | ALGORITHM |
| Complex and time-consuming to set up | It is easier to assemble |
| Makes use of symbols, shapes, and patterns | It is written in readable text form |
| It simply requires common knowledge to be understood. | Experts can only interpret it |
| Errors are easy to debug | Debugging errors can be challenging |
| Branches and loops are readily displayed on flowcharts | Cannot easily illustrate branches and loops |
| Solutions are displayed in graphical format | Solutions are displayed in semi-programming language. |
| User friendly | Not User friendly |
| Employed to illustrate a concept simply | Employed to analyze, document, and maintain a program |
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Definitions
A set of rules/instructions defining a work to be executed by a computer program step-by-step to achieve the desired results is called an algorithm.
A flowchart diagram is a graphical representation of the stages involved in running a program. Flowcharts allow the programmer to see the individual pieces of a program, which aids in step analysis and comparison. Complex procedures are thus made easier to grasp. For this demonstration, many geometric designs are employed.
Flowcharts VS Algorithm
Put, the Flowchart is the graphical form of an algorithm. To understand the logic, Algorithms employ human-readable techniques. As a result, they are easier to understand and can assist in breaking down significant problems into manageable chunks. However, they do not clearly show branches and loops in the program. The summary nature of Jumping in algorithms also makes tracing problems difficult. Algorithms are also challenging to debug. Although time-consuming and complex, Flowcharts enable efficient analysis, coding, documentation, and project management. It also makes thorough debugging possible.