A computer assisted method for recording and analysing existing or hypothetical systems, often using diagrams to show how data moves between processes, is called what?

Introduction / Context:
Systems analysis and design often employ graphical methods to record and study how information moves through an organisation or software system. These methods are used both for existing systems and for proposed designs. This question asks you to identify the term used for such a computer assisted method, which is strongly associated with data flow diagrams and system modelling.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The method is computer assisted and is used for recording and analysing systems.
• It is applicable to both current and hypothetical systems.
• It focuses on movement and transformation of data.
• No numerical calculation is required.

Concept / Approach:
Data flow based methods model how data enters a system, how it is processed and how it leaves or is stored. They are often represented by data flow diagrams, which show processes, data stores and data flows between them. These diagrams and accompanying tools form a computer assisted way to record system behaviour and analyse or improve it. This makes data flow the correct term among the given options for the described method.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the keywords recording and analysing existing or hypothetical systems. Step 2: Recognise that the method is linked with modelling how data moves, not just capturing raw input or performing low level transmission. Step 3: Recall that data flow diagrams are widely used in structured analysis to describe system behaviour. Step 4: Evaluate the options and notice that data flow directly refers to movement of data within and between system components. Step 5: Select data flow as the term that matches the description given in the question.

Verification / Alternative check:
Many introductory texts on system analysis mention that a computer assisted method for documenting and examining systems is based on data flow diagrams. They explicitly describe this as a way to represent both existing and proposed systems to support analysis and design decisions. This matches the wording of the question and confirms that data flow is the intended term.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, data transmission, focuses on sending data across communication channels, not modelling whole systems. Option B, data capture, refers to entering data into a system, such as through forms or scanners, but does not imply comprehensive analysis of system behaviour. Option D, data processing, is a broad term for any transformation applied to data and does not specifically describe a computer assisted modelling and analysis method.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to choose the most general sounding term, such as data processing, without considering whether it matches the idea of a structured modelling technique. Another pitfall is confusing data capture, which is an input activity, with data flow, which covers the full life cycle of data within a system. Remember that the question emphasises recording and analysing systems, which points directly at data flow based methods.

Final Answer:
The described computer assisted method is known as data flow.