Tools of Structured Analysis

Structured English
Structure English is derived from structured programming language which gives more understandable and precise description of process. It is based on procedural logic that uses construction and imperative sentences designed to perform operation for action.

1.) It is best used when sequences and loops in a program must be considered and the problem needs sequences of actions with decisions.

2.) It does not have strict syntax rule. It expresses all logic in terms of sequential decision structures and iterations.

For example, see the following sequence of actions-:

if customer pays advance 
   then 
      Give 5% Discount 
   else 
      if purchase amount >=10,000 
         then 
            if  the customer is a regular customer 
               then Give 5% Discount 
            else  No Discount
         end if 
      else No Discount  
   end if 
end if 




Pseudocode
A pseudocode does not conform to any programming language and expresses logic in plain English.

1.) It may specify the physical programming logic without actual coding during and after the physical design.

2.) It is used in conjunction with structured programming.

3.) It replaces the flowcharts of a program.


Guidelines for Selecting Appropriate Tools
Use the following guidelines for selecting the most appropriate tool that would suit your requirements:-

1.Use DFD at high or low level analysis for providing good system documentations.

2.Use data dictionary to simplify the structure for meeting the data requirement of the system.

3.Use structured English if there are many loops and actions are complex.

4.Use decision tables when there are a large number of conditions to check and logic is complex.

5.Use decision trees when sequencing of conditions is important and if there are few conditions to be tested.