Food Ordering System (Context DFD)

A DFD context diagram is a data flow diagram that only shows the top level, otherwise known as Level 0. At this level, there is only one visible process node that represents the functions of a complete system in regards to how it interacts with external entities. Context DFD is the entrance of a data flow model. It contains one and only one process and does not show any data store.

The DFD example here shows a context Data Flow Diagram that is drawn for a Food Ordering System. It contains a process (shape) that represents the system to model, in this case, the "Food Ordering System". It also shows the participants who will interact with the system, called the external entities. In this example, Supplier, Kitchen, Manager and Customer are the entities who will interact with the system. In between the process and the external entities, there are data flow (connectors) that indicate the existence of information exchange between the entities and the system.  Also see the next stage of Level 1 Data Flow Diagram