Program Hierarchy

Program Hierarchy in Programming:

The definition of hierarchy is a collection of items in which the items are symbolized as being above, below, or at the same level as one another. Essentially, hierarchy is an ordered set or a chart, which organizes objects, names, values, categories, etc. A hierarchy structure is a great tool for programmers to utilize because it facilitates the design and fabrication of a program or system. In addition, the organization of each chart features a graphical representation on how inputs operate in the program or system, how outputs are generated, and what steps or modules are crucial for the conversion between receiving inputs and generating outputs.

The great features of a program hierarchy chart would be most useful to a programmer who is interested in illustrating and then evaluating the processes and sequences of his/her designed program. The process of illustrating and evaluating a program sequence initially necessitates that the main algorithm, the function, and rationale behind the actual program, be meticulously written out in either narrative form, or diagrammatic form, or utilizing a combination of the narrative an diagrammatic form. Once the primary algorithm has been defined, it is imperative that for the programmer to distinguish the required type of input data (the information that will go in to the program) and the anticipated type of output data (the information expected to be produced by the program). Linking these three components using a flow chart will fulfill the program hierarchy process and provide the programmer the precise overview of the program’s data flow of data as it relates to the program’s inputs and outputs.

Program Hierarchy outside of Programming:

The Program Hierarchy is not just confined to the world of computer programming, in fact, this system can be utilized in a number of areas outside of computer programming. Now, even though there are a variety of areas that the Program Hierarchy can be applied outside of programming, we are going to focus on only three areas (work, school, home) because of their strong resemblance to the data flow structure technique. In this example, the program hierarchy system would have the same advantages of data organization and identification to a business setting.

In the business setting, a company may implement the program hierarchy to plan and pair the salaries for payroll every week. This would require incorporating the correct inputs (i.e. number of employees in the company and the number of hours worked by each employee) and entering the values into the main algorithm, which multiplies pay per hour, minus the applicable taxes and miscellaneous voluntary and involuntary deductions for every company employee.

In a school setting, a school administrator could implement the program hierarchy in discussing new strategies on how to best utilize money received from fundraising activities by identifying possible alternatives and how these alternatives will affect the school community.

In the home setting, a person can implement the program hierarchy to scrutinize the effects of doing household tasks to endorse a sense of self-reliance and to enhance their awareness of how much time is needed each week to fulfill the daily tasks.