What is a Nassi-Shneiderman diagram

A Nassi-Shneiderman (NS) diagram is a graphical method of stating algorithms. It is a diagrammatic approach to algorithm design but is not as bulky to draw as flowcharts.

Edraw contains special shapes and setting for creating Nassi-Shneiderman (NS) diagrams and other structured flowcharts.

In Edraw Professional, the Nassi-Shneiderman Diagrams template and shapes are in the Software folder.

Edraw is a very easy-to-use and intuitive database design tool and Nassi-Shneiderman tool which can save you hundreds hours of work. Edraw is not only an excellent tool for database & ER Diagram, but also the one that allows you to reverse engineer already existing database structures, create detailed HTML or PDF reports.

Nassi-Shneiderman Diagrams

Also known as Chapin Charts, Nassi-Shneiderman (N-S) diagrams are a modern alternative to flowcharts for the following reasons:

• N-S diagrams are an alternative to pseudocode.
• An N-S diagram can be drawn using text and lines (or completely with ASCII characters).
• N-S diagrams show processing by series, by selection, or by iteration.
• N-S diagrams are read from top to bottom.
• N-S diagrams are more structured than flowcharting (one start, one end).

Nassi-Shneiderman Symbols

Examples of Nassi-Shneiderman Diagram

The Nassi-Shneiderman (NS) diagram is a graphical method of stating algorithms. Many people claim that it is very easy to read, especially for beginners. That is probably true but maintaining NS diagrams can be a problem for the program designer. Here is a simple example of a NS diagram:

Some Tips in drawing Nassi-Shneiderman Diagrams

1. Drag the shapes from the Nassi-Shneiderman templates in the "Software" category.

2. You can move the yellow control point to change the shape.

3. Switch the Text Block Adjust Tool, you can change the position of text.

Then click the shape to select the text block. So you can change the geometry of text now.

4. Sometimes you need to close the snap functions in order to align shapes. So you find it at the "Snap & Glue" Dialog in the "Tool" menu.

More information about Nassi-Shneiderman Diagrams

A short history of structured flowcharts (Nassi-Shneiderman Diagrams)

Flowchart techniques for structured programming