Slides adapted from

Jeffrey A. Hoffer, University of Dayton

Joey F. George, Florida State University
Joseph S. Valacich, Washington State University

Modern Systems Analysis and Design, 4/E, Pearson Prentice Hall, 2004
 n Data flow diagrams do not show the
computation logic inside the processes.
n Logic modeling involves representing

internal structure and functionality of

processes depicted on a DFD.
n Logic modeling can also be used to show

when processes on a DFD occur.

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 Structured English
Decision Tables
Decision Trees
State-transition diagrams
Sequence diagrams
Activity diagrams

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 Modified form of English used to specify
the logic of information processes
Uses a subset of English
n Action verbs
n Noun phrases
n No adjectives or adverbs
No specific standards

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 Structured English is
used to describe input
and output.

Structured English is
used to describe
arithmetic operations.

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 Logic Modeling with Structured English

Structured English is
used here to
describe repetition.

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 Logic Modeling with Structured English

Structured English is
used here to
describe decisions.

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 Logic Modeling with Structured English

Structured English is used

here to describe invoking
other processes.

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 n A matrix representation of the logic of a
decision

n Specifies the possible conditions and the

resulting actions

n Best used for complicated decision logic

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 1. Condition stubs
§ Lists condition relevant to decision
2. Action stubs
§ Actions that result from a given set of conditions
3. Rules
§ Specify which actions are to be followed for a given set of
conditions

Indifferent Condition
n Condition whose value does not affect which action is
taken for two or more rules

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 Name the condition and values each
condition can assume
Name all possible actions that can occur
List all rules
Define the actions for each rule
Simplify the table

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 Note: for salaried employees the action stub chosen will always
be the same…therefore hours worked is an indifferent condition

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 Because of indifferent condition, the complete decision table
can be reduced to one with fewer rules
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 A graphical representation of a decision
situation
Decision situation points are connected
together by arcs and terminate in ovals
Main components
n Decision points represented by nodes
n Actions represented by ovals
n Particular choices from a decision point
represented by arcs

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 Read from left to right
Each node corresponds to a numbered
choice on a legend
All possible actions are listed on the far
right

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 Decision tree representation of salary
decision

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 Alternative decision tree representation of
salary decision

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 Criteria Structured Decision Decision
English Tables Trees
Determining Second Best Third Best Best
Conditions and
Actions
Transforming Best Third Best Best
Conditions and
Actions into
Sequence
Checking Third Best Best Best
Consistency
and
Completeness

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 Criteria Decision Tables Decision Trees

Portraying Best Worst

complex logic
Portraying simple Worst Best
rules
Making decisions Worst Best

More compact Best Worst

Easier to Best Worst

manipulate

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 In this chapter you learned how to:
ü Use structured English as a tool for
representing steps in logical processes in
data flow diagrams.
ü Use decision tables and decision trees to
represent logical choice in conditional
statements.
ü Select among structured English, decision
tables, and decision trees.

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