In flowcharting, what shape represents a process, whether it is a single step or an entire sub-process?

The rectangle is the shape used in flowcharting to represent a process, which can denote either a single step or an entire sub-process. In flowcharts, each rectangle signifies an action or operation that takes place, making it a fundamental building block of the diagram. This shape allows for a clear and straightforward depiction of the steps involved in a sequence or workflow, facilitating easy understanding and communication of the process flow.

Other shapes serve different purposes: for example, a parallelogram typically represents input or output operations, while a diamond indicates a decision point where the flow can branch based on yes/no or true/false conditions. The circle is often utilized to represent a connector or the start/end of a flowchart, thereby distinguishing its role from the process representation that the rectangle provides. Understanding these shapes and their functions is essential for clearly visualizing processes in flowchart format.