What does a diamond shape signify in a flow chart?

In a flow chart, a diamond shape is used to represent a decision point. This is where a question is posed or a condition is evaluated, leading to different branches or pathways based on the outcome of that decision. For example, a common scenario might involve a yes/no question, where one path represents a 'yes' response and another represents a 'no' response. This ability to illustrate decision-making processes makes the diamond shape a crucial component in flow charts, as it helps to visualize the logic and flow of processes based on various conditions.

The other shapes in flow charts serve different purposes: ovals often indicate the start and stop points, rectangles signify processes, and parallelograms represent input and output operations, but it is the diamond shape specifically that designates a point where a choice must be made.