ISO 1028-1973 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 1028:1973 — Information processing — Flowchart symbols. A concise International Standard that defined a set of graphical symbols and basic conventions for drawing flowcharts used in information and data processing documentation.

Abstract

ISO 1028:1973 provided a short, authoritative catalogue of standard symbols (boxes, decision diamonds, connectors, input/output symbols, stored-data symbols, etc.) and minimal usage guidance to promote uniform representation of procedural and program flow in data-processing and information systems documentation. The standard was intended to improve clarity and interoperability of technical documentation by standardizing common flowchart symbolism.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn — superseded by ISO 5807:1985.
• Publication date: 1 December 1973 (ISO edition 1).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 35.080 (Software); 01.080.50 (Graphical symbols for information technology documentation).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (1973).
• Number of pages: 3 pages.

Scope

ISO 1028:1973 specified a compact set of graphical symbols and basic conventions for creating flowcharts that represent the sequence and decision structure of information-processing procedures. It covered symbols commonly used to show start/stop, processing steps, decisions, data input/output, stored data, subroutines/predefined processes, document symbols and simple connectors, together with recommended directional flow and minimal labelling guidance. It was aimed at program and system flowcharts as used in data processing documentation rather than exhaustive graphical notation for all diagram types.

Key topics and requirements

• Standardized symbol set for core flowchart elements (start/terminal, process, decision, input/output, stored data, document, manual input, connector).
• Basic rules for flow direction and use of connectors to maintain readable, unambiguous diagrams.
• Conventions for labelling symbols with short, clear text (operation names, conditions on decision branches).
• Guidance for nesting and use of predefined process (subroutine) symbols to represent modular procedures.
• Emphasis on simplicity and consistency to aid technical communication across organizations.

Typical use and users

Historically used by systems analysts, programmers, technical writers, document control specialists and trainers preparing program flowcharts, system-flow documentation and operational procedures for information-processing systems. Today it is primarily of interest to archivists, standards researchers, maintainers of legacy documentation, and organizations needing to interpret or convert older flowchart-based documentation.

Related standards

ISO 1028:1973 was revised and withdrawn in favour of ISO 5807:1985 (Information processing — Documentation symbols and conventions for data, program and system flowcharts, program network charts and system resources charts). It succeeded ISO Recommendation R 1028 (1969) and is related to other graphical-symbol standards used in information technology and documentation; earlier/parallel national or industry documents (for example ECMA/industry flowchart symbol sets) also provided comparable symbol conventions.

Keywords

flowchart, flow-chart, flow chart, symbols, information processing, data processing, documentation symbols, process chart, program flowchart, diagram conventions, legacy documentation

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 1028:1973 is an International Standard that defined a small, standardized set of graphical symbols and basic conventions for drawing flowcharts in information-processing documentation. It was first published on 1 December 1973.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the principal symbols used in flowcharts (start/stop, processing, decision, input/output, stored data, document, connectors, predefined process/subroutine) and basic rules for arranging and labelling them so diagrams are clear and unambiguous.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Historically, systems analysts, programmers, technical authors and documentation specialists used it when producing program and system flowcharts. Today it is mainly relevant for those working with or converting legacy documentation, standards researchers, and archives.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 1028:1973 is withdrawn. It was superseded by ISO 5807:1985; the withdrawal took effect on 1 February 1985. For modern documentation needs, later standards and contemporary modelling languages (for example UML for software design) are commonly used.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it formed part of ISO work on information-processing documentation and graphical symbols. ISO 1028:1973 replaced an earlier ISO Recommendation (R 1028-1969) and was itself revised by ISO 5807:1985, which expanded and updated the documentation-symbol conventions.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords include: flowchart, flowchart symbols, information processing, data processing, documentation symbols, program flowchart, diagram conventions.