Flow chart

Charlie U · Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 9:24 am

This is a bit off topic, but it relates to software development and documentation. We have a couple of newer clients that have requested (and the best part, are willing to pay for) more formal documentation of our software. In the past, we have just "chicken scratched" the flow charts on a white board and either photographed them or transcribed them to a drawing package. Since we will be doing a bit more of this, I thought I'd start looking for a good formal flow charting software package. Visio has been suggested, but I tried that several years ago and it just seemed like more work than it should have been. If this is the best one, then I'll have to give another look. Do any of you use flow charting software and have a suggestion for us? We are not limited to freeware or shareware, we just need a good program and if need be we can spend some $ for it.

Thanks
Charlie

rwyoung · Joined: 12 Nov 2003 Posts: 563 Location: Lawrence, KS USA

I've been using "Smart Draw" http://www.smartdraw.com/ with some success.
_________________
Rob Young
The Screw-Up Fairy may just visit you but he has crashed on my couch for the last month!

Charlie U · Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 11:27 am

Thanks Rob,

I noticed that they have a trial download version. I'll give it a spin and let you know how it goes. I also found RFFlow at www.rff.com. Anybody use this?

Thanks again
Charlie

treitmey · Joined: 23 Jan 2004 Posts: 1094 Location: Appleton,WI USA

I like the rather old "ABC flowcharter". It is fast, simple and auto ajusts sizes to the text your using.

dyeatman · Joined: 06 Sep 2003 Posts: 1934 Location: Norman, OK

I use Visio. It has worked well for me for many years....

Guest · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 9:42 am

For me, SMARTDRAW is the best one !!

jma_1 · Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 147 Location: Wisconsin

Greetings,
There is a free linux diagramming tool included with most distributions. The tool is similar to Visio & includes a UML toolkit for classes, states, etc.