structure

Introduction Structured Design is a method to convert an ``informal specification'' including a set of data flow diagrams and process specifications into a design that could be implemented using a language like Pascal or C. It was developed by Edward Yourdon and Larry Constantine, reportedly by examining a number of systems that had been developed in the 1960's that were regarded as good design examples, and identifying common features and patterns that they contained. Structured …

…small decisions and tests. The second step provides a way to improve the result of first step (which we don't generally expect to be very good). Since the second step does exist, it isn't necessary to worry too much about how to make some of the decisions in the first step if they aren't clear - you will have an opportunity to improve the structure chart that you create by making these decisions later on.