What is the primary purpose of a flowchart?

The primary purpose of a flowchart is to visually represent the steps in a process or algorithm. Flowcharts use standardized symbols to illustrate how different parts of a process are interconnected and the order in which steps are executed. This visual representation helps in understanding the flow of control or data within a process, making it easier for individuals to analyze, communicate, or implement algorithms.

Flowcharts serve as a powerful tool for visually depicting complex processes in a way that is straightforward and easy to follow. This is particularly useful during the programming process, where it can help developers outline their logic before coding, or assist in troubleshooting by clarifying the sequence of operations.

In contrast, encoding data in binary format pertains to how information is represented in computing at a low level, which is unrelated to the systematic, step-by-step nature of flowcharts. Debugging a program involves finding errors in code, which may use flowcharts to understand the logic but is not the primary function of flowcharts themselves. Managing computer memory deals with optimizing and allocating computing resources, a concept that does not align with the purpose of flowcharts either.