← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

Terminator symbol

A rounded (oval) flowchart shape that marks the Start and the Stop of a flowchart. There is one Start, every path ends at a Stop, and no arrow goes into Start.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 7c Pseudocode and Flowcharts — Module 43

Understanding Terminator symbol in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

What it does: Start only has an arrow out. Nothing flows back into it, so the flowchart begins in one place. Each route through a decision must end at a Stop, so the algorithm never trails off without finishing. The terminator is a rounded shape. It is used for Start and Stop. A process rectangle is used for calculations and assignments. Every path has to end at a Stop, including the No path, even if the paths join up before the Stop. The ending terminator contains Stop (or End). Output statements belong in an input/output parallelogram. The terminator at the top is labelled Start, and a flowchart has exactly one Start.

Common mistakes: A flowchart has only one Start terminator. The second oval labelled Start is wrong. Line 2 should be the Input parallelogram, Para: INPUT A. Stop is a terminator, so it must be a rounded oval. A rectangle is the process symbol. It should be Oval: Stop.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 176–187) and word search (Modules 166–187).

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Learning
Duo
Which shape marks the Start and Stop of a flowchart?
Terminator (rounded oval)Process (rectangle)
Matches
A loop arrow goes back up into the Start oval
↓
An arrow must never go into Start. A loop should return to a step after Start, such as a decision or process.
Applying
Meanings
Term
Terminator
Meaning
A rounded (oval) flowchart shape that marks the Start and the Stop of a flowchart. There is one Start, every path ends at a Stop, and no arrow goes into Start.
Practice
Start
Testing
Gaps
()
Check Answer
Spots
1Oval: Start
2Oval: Start

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Quick Questions

1. Which shape marks the Start and Stop of a flowchart?
A. Process (rectangle)
B. Terminator (rounded oval) ✓
The terminator is a rounded shape. It is used for Start and Stop. A process rectangle is used for calculations and assignments.
2. How many Start terminators should a flowchart have?
A. One ✓
B. One for every decision
A flowchart has exactly one Start so the reader knows where the algorithm begins.
3. Which statement about arrows and Start is correct?
A. No arrow goes into Start ✓
B. An arrow can loop back into Start
Start is where the flowchart begins, so nothing points into it. A loop must return to a decision or process, not to Start.
4. Where does every path in a flowchart finish?
A. At a process box
B. At a Stop terminator ✓
Every path must reach a Stop terminator. A path that ends in a process box is left unfinished.
5. Which is the correct way to label the first and last shapes?
A. Start and Stop in rounded shapes ✓
B. Start and Stop in diamonds
Diamonds are for decisions. Start and Stop belong in rounded terminator shapes.

Match the Pairs

Oval labelled Start → Marks where the flowchart begins; there is only one of these
Oval labelled Stop → Marks where a path of the flowchart ends; no arrow leaves it
A flowchart has exactly one Start, and the Start has no arrow going into it → Start (oval) with one arrow leaving it
Every path in the flowchart must finish at a Stop terminator → Both the Yes and No branches of a decision lead to Stop
A loop arrow goes back up into the Start oval → An arrow must never go into Start. A loop should return to a step after Start, such as a decision or process.
The No branch of a decision ends with an arrow that points to nothing → The path has no Stop terminator. Every path must end at a Stop oval.

Key Term

Terminator
A rounded (oval) flowchart shape that marks the Start and the Stop of a flowchart. There is one Start, every path ends at a Stop, and no arrow goes into Start.

Fill in the Blanks

1. (Start) [INPUT Age] (Stop)
Hint: Type the label on the terminator that ends the flowchart.
2. (Start) [OUTPUT "Welcome"] (Stop)
Hint: Type the label on the terminator that begins the flowchart.
3. <Mark >= 50?> Yes: [OUTPUT "Pass"] -> (Stop) No: [OUTPUT "Fail"] -> (Stop)
Hint: Type the terminator label that every path, including this No path, must finish with.
4. Start terminators allowed: 1
Hint: Type the number of Start terminators a flowchart has.
5. Start: arrows in = 0, arrows out = 1
Hint: Type how many flow lines can go into the Start terminator.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Oval: Start
B Oval: Start
C Para: INPUT B
D Box: Sum <- A + B
E Oval: Stop
Line B — A flowchart has only one Start terminator. The second oval labelled Start is wrong. Line 2 should be the Input parallelogram, Para: INPUT A.
Question 2
A Oval: Start
B Para: OUTPUT Hello
C Box: Stop
Line C — Stop is a terminator, so it must be a rounded oval. A rectangle is the process symbol. It should be Oval: Stop.
Question 3
A Oval: Start
B Para: INPUT Num
C Arrow: INPUT -> Start
D Oval: Stop
Line C — No flow line may go into Start. The flowchart begins at Start and the arrow must carry on to Stop, so it should be Arrow: INPUT -> Stop.
Question 4
A Oval: Start
B Oval: Stop
C Box: Tax <- Price * 0.2
D Para: OUTPUT Tax
E Oval: Stop
Line B — Stop marks the end of a path, so it cannot come straight after Start. The steps would never run. Line 2 should be the Input shape, Para: INPUT Price.
Question 5
A Oval: Start
B Para: INPUT Age
C Diamond: Age >= 18?
D Yes: OUTPUT Adult -> nowhere
E No: OUTPUT Child -> Stop
Line D — Every path must end at a Stop terminator. The Yes branch leads nowhere. It should be Yes: OUTPUT Adult -> Stop.

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