Chapter 7
Database Design and the E-R Model
Nusrat Jahan
Contents
# What is an Entity Relationship Diagram (ER-Diagram) ?
# Why Use ER Diagrams in DBMS?
# Components of an ER Diagram
# Symbols Used in ER Diagrams
# Entity
# Attribute
# Relationship
# Converting ER diagram into Table/Schema
What is an Entity Relationship Diagram (ER-Diagram) ?
ER-Diagram is a pictorial representation of data that describes
how data is communicated and related to each other.
Any object, such as entities, attributes of an entity, sets of
relationship, and other attributes of relationship, can be
characterized with the help of the ER diagram.
Why Use ER Diagrams in DBMS?
● ER Diagram helps you conceptualize the database and lets you know
which fields need to be embedded for a particular entity
● ER Diagram gives a better understanding of the information to be
stored in a database
● It reduces complexity and allows database designers to build
databases quickly
● It helps to describe elements using Entity-Relationship models
● It allows users to get a preview of the logical structure of the database
Components of an ER Diagram
ER Model consists of Entities, Attributes, and Relationships among Entities in a
Database System.
Symbols Used in ER Diagrams
● Rectangles: This Entity Relationship Diagram symbol represents
entity types
● Ellipses: This symbol represents attributes
● Diamonds: This symbol represents relationship types
● Lines: It links attributes to entity types and entity types with other
relationship types
● Primary key: Here, it underlines the attributes
● Double Ellipses: Represents multi-valued attributes
Symbols Used in ER Diagrams
Entity
Entity
Attribute
Attribute
Attribute
Attribute
Attribute
Relationship
Relationship
Relationship
Relationship
Relationship
Converting ER diagram into Table/Schema
> Example 1 (Strong entity set with Simple attributes)
Note: The underlined attributes are the primary attributes.
Converting ER diagram into Table/Schema
> Example 2 (Strong entity set with composite attributes).
Converting ER diagram into Table/Schema
> Example 3 (Strong entity set with multi-valued attributes)
Converting ER diagram into Table/Schema
> Example 4 (Relationship set to table conversion)
Converting ER diagram into Table/Schema
Some More examples:
Converting ER diagram into Table/Schema
Converting ER diagram into Table/Schema
Converting ER diagram into Table/Schema
Thank you.