What symbols are commonly used in flowcharts?

• A. Input/output symbols, decision symbols, and process boxes.
• B. Terminator symbol, input/output symbols, decision symbols, and process boxes.
• C. Decision symbols and arrows only.
• D. Only process boxes.

Answer: (B)

Flowcharts use a standard set of shapes to show different kinds of actions and data flow. The most common ones are the terminator, which marks where the process starts and ends; the input/output symbol, which represents data entering or leaving the system; the decision symbol, which shows branching based on yes/no or true/false; and the process box, which stands for a task or operation performed. Arrows connect these shapes to indicate the sequence of steps.

Including all four shapes together covers the typical steps in a workflow, so the option that lists the terminator, input/output, decision, and process boxes is the best. Other options miss one or more of these essential elements—for example, focusing only on decisions and arrows omits the start/end and processing steps, while using only process boxes ignores how data moves into and out of the system and where the flow begins or ends.