Data Flow Diagram Definition

Data flow diagram which is typically abbreviated as DFD is referring to a diagram which visually represents how the information is flowing within a given system or a process. As with most diagrams it uses shapes and symbols such as rectangles and labels to represent different parts of the flow like input and output.

Originally this method dates back to the 1970s as a technique for streamlining documentation processing now is a widely used way to showcase the relationship between the elements of the software system. Its easy to follow visualization allows for simply digesting the information displayed which is typically complex to grasp.