What symbol in a flowchart indicates a decision point?

In a flowchart, the symbol that indicates a decision point is the diamond shape. This symbol is used to represent a point in the process where a decision needs to be made, leading to branches in the flow based on the answer to a yes/no or true/false question.

When constructing a flowchart, the diamond symbol visually communicates that the process will split into two or more paths depending on the outcome of that decision. For instance, if the decision is whether a number is greater than ten, one path would be taken if the answer is yes, and another path would be taken if the answer is no. This clear separation is crucial in flowcharts as it helps in outlining the logic of algorithms and decision-making processes effectively.

The other symbols serve different purposes: the circle is typically used to indicate a start or end point, the rectangle denotes a process or action step, and the parallelogram is used for inputs or outputs. Understanding these differences helps in accurately depicting processes in flowcharts.