Diagram vs. Schematic

By Jaxson

Main Difference

The main difference between Diagram and Schematic is that the Diagram is a plan, drawing, sketch or outline to show how something works or the relationships between the parts of a whole and Schematic is a representation of a system using abstract, graphic symbols

  • Diagram

    A diagram is a symbolic representation of information according to visualization technique. Diagrams have been used since ancient times, but became more prevalent during the Enlightenment. Sometimes, the technique uses a three-dimensional visualization which is then projected onto a two-dimensional surface. The word graph is sometimes used as a synonym for diagram.

  • Schematic

    A schematic, or schematic diagram, is a representation of the elements of a system using abstract, graphic symbols rather than realistic pictures. A schematic usually omits all details that are not relevant to the key information the schematic is intended to convey, and may include oversimplified elements in order to make this essential meaning easier to grasp. For example, a subway map intended for passengers may represent a subway station with a dot. The dot is not intended to resemble the actual station at all; instead, it aims to give the viewer information without unnecessary visual clutter. A schematic diagram of a chemical process uses symbols in place of detailed representations of the vessels, piping, valves, pumps, and other equipment that compose the system; in so doing, it emphasizes the functions of these individual elements–and the interconnections among them–and suppresses their particular physical details. In an electronic circuit diagram, the layout of the symbols may not look anything like the circuit as it appears in the physical world: instead of representing the way the circuit looks, the schematic aims to capture, on a more general level, the way it works.

Wikipedia
  • Diagram (noun)

    A plan, drawing, sketch or outline to show how something works, or show the relationships between the parts of a whole.

    “Electrical diagrams show device interconnections.”

  • Diagram (noun)

    A graph or chart.

  • Diagram (noun)

    A functor from an index category to another category. The objects and morphisms of the index category need not have any internal substance, but rather merely outline the connective structure of at least some part of the diagram’s codomain. If the index category is J and the codomain is C, then the diagram is said to be “of type J in C”.

  • Diagram (verb)

    To represent or indicate something using a diagram.

  • Schematic (adjective)

    represented simply

  • Schematic (adjective)

    sketchy, incomplete

  • Schematic (adjective)

    relating to a schema

  • Schematic (noun)

    A simplified line-drawing generally used by engineers and technicians to describe and understand how a system works at an abstract level. Schematic drawings often require the use of industry standard line-art symbols so they may be understood within industries.

    “I’ll have to study the schematics for the new integrated circuit before I can create a good layout.”

Wiktionary
  • Diagram (noun)

    a simplified drawing showing the appearance, structure, or workings of something; a schematic representation

    “a diagram of the living room”

  • Diagram (noun)

    a figure composed of lines that is used to illustrate a definition or statement or to aid in the proof of a proposition.

  • Diagram (noun)

    a graphical schedule for operating railway locomotives and rolling stock in order to provide a desired service.

  • Diagram (verb)

    represent (something) in graphic form

    “the experiment is diagrammed on page fourteen”

  • Diagram (verb)

    schedule the operations of (a locomotive or train) according to a diagram.

Oxford Dictionary

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