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Flowcharting
by Marz
Flowcharting my friend is a programmer's BEST FRIEND.
If you have ever taken a programming course for C++ or
pretty much everything, then my guess is that you know
how to do something like a flowchart. Now, over the
years of programming I have developed some different
methods of flowcharting. Some for more business reasons,
others to just remind me of things.
What is it really though? Flowcharting is a graphic and
text based summary of what you are going to program and
how you are going to piece it together. It typically
gets drawn on a piece of printing paper and is usually
scratched out and redone 500 times during the
development of the game! *lol*. But, no matter what, it
can save you loads of time when getting into the real
programming comes around.
This my friend.. Is what a typical flowchart might just
look like. All right, seeing as how my scanner is being
entirely ghetto, I'm going to have to display this
through a Flash Drawing:
[ example of a
flow chart ]
All right, I know it's very small but at
the same time, it conveys what a flowchart might look
like and some of the elements found in a flowchart. I
know, I know... It doesn't look like a flowchart you
might see in a real programmer's hands, but it still
shows you what a flowchart is.
Now, a real programmer's flowchart will be a lot more
complex. Sometimes it will look something like this:
[ another example
of a complex flow chart ]
Now, looks complex doesn't it? Multiply that by about 50
and you'll have yourself a working game flowchart! But
no worries...it can be a pain, but like I said it can
help out tremendously. Each symbol in a flowchart has
its own function and use.
Like, the diamond symbol is used for an if type
statement. Basically stating that if, this happens.. Go
this way, if it doesn't happen go this way or if this
happens go this other way..
On with the flowcharting symbols:
Used for if statements. Each message branches off in a
different area, each with their own line.
Box
Can be used to describe functions, variables or anything
really. The function, variable name is located at the
top in the gray area and the information and description
about the object is located in that box right below it.
Also, if it returns a value (true or false), then
separate lines can be drawn off this function as well if
it goes well.
Parallelogram
Is used to actually state the function and use it. This
is where the action typically happens. For example,
throwBaseball() for instance. If that function returns
anything, then that is when you start to branch off with
different lines.
Solid Box
This is where you put the final layout image, or
whenever you print to the screen this is what happens!
Lightning Bolts
Are used for debugging and termination. If you run into
this area, your program should quit in an error or
terminate without saying. A problem should occur at
these areas. This is great for debugging everything.
These are all of the basic symbols, if
you have any problems using these or if you need a
better description of what to do with these, ask and you
shall receive at
playamarz@mentalconcepts.com
You can also post into the
Game/AI Programming forum also.
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