Context Diagram

[Nephix]

Hey guys what's up!

I was just wondering if anyone could help me out with context diagrams in SD, I'm very familiar with DFD'S/UCD'S structure but am struggling a little bit with context diagrams.

I've been using Mark Kelly's VCEIT page and feel as though I need a better understanding of them

Thanks in advance

[silverpixeli]

Hey, this is the section from my notes on DFD's and context diagrams

Data Flow Diagram (DFD): design tool used to represent the flow of data through an information system. Has multiple levels each depicting different depths of functionality;
    Context Diagram (level 0): shows data flows in the context of the system and its external entities (focuses on the scope of the system)
       system represented as one process
       flows between external entities and the system are shown
    Level 1: shows inner workings of the system, data flows between data stores and processes
       a broad overview of the system’s internal workings
    Level 2 onwards: in subsequent levels, individual sections/processes are exploded and their workings depicted
       if there are more than 10 entities on a DFD, some should be merged and expanded on a lower layer

Basically, my understanding is that a context diagram IS a DFD but where the system is represented as only a single process, which means the focus is purely on its relationship with external entities (the system in the 'context' of its external environment). To go into detail about the internal workings of the system, you move past 'context' level and into a traditional DFD with multiple processes and data stores.

Hope that helps, feel free to ask for more detail.

[Nephix]

Awesome, cheers dude