DFD external entity

Diagram

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Definition

A person, organisation or element that provides data to the system or receives data from it (shown as a rectangle).

Example: External entity: Customer.

Found in: course specifications, school notes, past SDD papers.

Where you'll use it in the test

Syllabus area: Diagrams and tools.

Question types it can appear in

Drawing: Draw or label it in the online drawing tool.
Multiple choice: Pick the option that matches the definition or example.
Matching or table: Match it to its description, example or category.

Where it has appeared in the paper

The Software Engineering Project (Part D). Part letters follow each paper’s own layout.

How to use it

A model sentence

General advice, built from the definition and example above

Diagram: “A person, organisation or element that provides data to the system or receives data from it (shown as a rectangle).” Then apply it: External entity: Customer.

In a short answer, give the definition in your own words first, then tie it to the situation in the question. Do not copy the example above unless it fits the scenario.

Go deeper

Flashcard: DFD external entity in Diagrams and Modelling Tools (Years 11 and 12) · study that set
Memorise: Drawing rules: DFD, structure chart, storyboard, decision tree, class diagram, ERD
Notes: Drawing rules: DFD, structure chart, storyboard, decision tree, class diagram, ERD (Pseudocode, flowcharts and diagram rules)
Full term page: every question, note and marking comment for DFD external entity

Check yourself

Describe or sketch “DFD external entity”: what it shows, its parts and when you would use it.

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