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240 part 3 • the analysis proCess

Figure 9.5
Data structure for a shipping
Shipping Statement =
statement for World’s Trend. Order Number +
Order Date +
Customer Number +
Customer Name +
Customer Address +
5
1 {Order Item Lines} +
Number of Items +
Merchandise Total +
(Tax) +
Shipping and Handling +
Order Total
Customer Name =
First Name +
(Middle Initial) +
Last Name
Address =
Street +
(Apartment) +
City +
State +
Zip +
(Zip Expansion) +
(Country)
Order Item Lines =
Item Number +
Quantity Ordered +
Quantity Backordered +
Item Description +
Size Description +
Color Description +
Unit Price +
Extended Amount

A STRUCTURED ENGLISH EXAMPLE. The following example demonstrates how a spoken
procedure for processing medical claims is transformed into structured English:
We process all our claims in this manner. First, we determine whether the claimant has
ever sent in a claim before; if not, we set up a new record. The claim totals for the year
are then updated. Next, we determine if a claimant has policy A or policy B, which differ
in deductibles and copayments (the percentage of the claim claimants pay themselves).
For both policies, we check to see if the deductible has been met ($100 for policy A and
$50 for policy B). If the deductible has not been met, we apply the claim to the deductible.
Another step adjusts for the copayment; we subtract the percentage the claimant pays
(40 percent for policy A and 60 percent for policy B) from the claim. Then we issue a
check if there is money coming to the claimant, print a summary of the transaction, and
update our accounts. We do this until all claims for that day are processed.

In examining the foregoing statements, we notice some simple sequence structures, particu-
larly at the beginning and end. There are a couple of decision structures, and it is most appropri-
ate to nest them, first by determining which policy (A or B) to use and then by subtracting the
correct deductibles and copayments. The last sentence points to an iteration: Either DO UNTIL
all the claims are processed or DO WHILE there are claims remaining.
Realizing that it is possible to nest the decision structures according to policy plans, we can
write the structured English for the foregoing example (see Figure 9.4). As we begin to work
on the structured English, we find that some logic and relationships that seemed clear at one