Elements of style among machine-generated COBOL flowcharts

After a brief review of the use of flowcharts both before and after the completion of a program, this article illustrates and compares the graphic output of four automatic flowcharting packages for COBOL programs. These packages are Autoflow, Dynachart, Quickdraw, and Axiom One. Primary consideration is given to the effectiveness of various notational conventions and schemes for geometric representation. The specimens presented may also suggest preferred practices for adoption in preparing hand-constructed documentation.