DB 05
DB 05
Modeling
• Entity relationship components
• Developing ER Diagram
Database Management –
COMP3140
Billy Yu
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The Entity Relationship Model
• Graphical representation of entities and
their relationships in a database structure
• Entity relationship diagram (ERD)
– Uses graphic representations to model
database components
• Entity instance or entity occurrence
– Rows in the relational table
• Connectivity: Term used to label the
relationship types
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Introduction to ER modeling
Video
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpdhBUYk7Kk&t=193s
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Attributes
• Characteristics of entities
• Required attribute: Must have a value,
cannot be left empty
• Optional attribute: Does not require a
value, can be left empty
• Domain - Set of possible values for a
given attribute
• Identifiers: One or more attributes that
uniquely identify each entity instance
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Attributes
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Figure 2.3 - The ER Model
Notations
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More example
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entity%E2%80%93relationship_model
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Figure 2.4 - A Comparison of
OO, UML and ER Models
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Figure 4.1 - The Attributes of
the Student Entity: Chen and
Crow’s Foot
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Figure 4.3 - A Multivalued
Attribute in an Entity
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Figure 4.8 - A Weak (Non-
Identifying) Relationship
between COURSE and CLASS
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Figure 4.9 - A Strong
(Identifying) Relationship
between COURSE and CLASS
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Figure 4.13 - CLASS is Optional
to COURSE
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Figure 4.14 - COURSE and CLASS
in a Mandatory Relationship
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Special relationships….
• Rare they are, but still possible
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Relationship Degree
• Indicates the number of entities or
participants associated with a relationship
• Unary relationship: Association is
maintained within a single entity
– Recursive relationship: Relationship exists
between occurrences of the same entity set
• Binary relationship: Two entities are
associated
• Ternary relationship: Three entities are
associated
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Figure 4.15 -
Three Types
of
Relationship
Degree
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Entity Relationship Model
Advantages Disadvantages
• Visual modeling yields • Limited constraint
conceptual simplicity representation
• Visual representation • Limited relationship
makes it an effective representation
communication tool • No data manipulation
• Is integrated with the language
dominant relational model • Loss of information
content occurs when
attributes are removed
from entities to avoid
crowded displays
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Figure 4.17 - An ER
Representation of Recursive
Relationships
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Database Design Challenges:
Conflicting Goals
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