What shape represents a terminator in flowcharting?

In flowcharting, a terminator is represented by an oval shape. This shape is used to indicate the beginning and end of a process or a flowchart. It effectively signifies where the flowchart starts (the entry point) and where it concludes (the exit point), providing a clear and visual way to denote these key aspects of the flow of information or operations.

The oval shape is distinct from other shapes used in flowcharting, which each have their own specific meanings. For example, rectangles typically represent processes or instructions, parallelograms are used for input/output operations, and diamonds signify decision points where a yes/no question is asked. Recognizing the symbol for a terminator as an oval helps ensure that anyone reading the flowchart can easily identify the start and end points of the procedures being documented.