Block diagram (BlockDiag)

BlockDiag creates nodes by mentioning them, which makes it the fastest way to turn a chain of steps into a diagram.

#What this example shows

Nodes created implicitly by an arrow chain.
A group, which draws a labelled box.
Shapes and colours set per node.

#A worked example

Open it, edit it, or copy the source below.

The source, which you can paste into a new diagram and edit:

blockdiag {
  ingest [label = "Ingest", shape = beginpoint];
  validate [label = "Validate", shape = diamond];
  transform [label = "Transform"];
  store [label = "Store", shape = flowchart.database];
  notify [label = "Notify", shape = endpoint];
  reject [label = "Reject", color = "#ffdddd"];

  ingest -> validate -> transform -> store -> notify;
  validate -> reject;

  group {
    label = "Pipeline";
    color = "#f1f5f9";
    validate; transform; store;
  }
}

#Making it your own

Every statement ends with a semicolon; that is the usual syntax error.
Shapes include box, roundedbox, diamond, ellipse, beginpoint, endpoint and the flowchart set.
For real layout control, D2 or Graphviz will serve you better.

Flowchart diagram (BlockDiag)

A process, drawn with the flowchart shapes.

BlockDiag examples

Back to the rest of these examples.

Mention a node and it exists.