Copyright 2011, Oracle. All rights reserved.

Matrix Diagrams
2
Matrix Diagrams
Copyright 2011, Oracle. All rights reserved.
What Will I Learn?
Objectives
In this lesson, you will learn to:
Identify relationships using a matrix diagram
Draw an ERD from a matrix diagram
3
Matrix Diagrams
Copyright 2011, Oracle. All rights reserved.
Why Learn It?
Purpose
It is useful to know
more than one way
of discovering
relationships.
The matrix diagram
is a good way to
make sure that we
havent missed any
relationships --
especially useful
when you are
dealing with a lot of
entities.
It may be simple enough
to identify relationships
given three entities.
But what about finding
relationships when you
have thirteen or more
entities?
TEACHER COURSE
CLASS
TEACHER COURSE STUDENT
CLASS EXAM SEMESTER
CAFETERIA GRADE CLUB
CLASSROOM SCHOOL
SCHOOL
EQUIPMENT
etc.
MAINTENANCE
STAFF
4
Matrix Diagrams
Copyright 2011, Oracle. All rights reserved.
Tell Me / Show Me
Business Scenario
"I work for a travel agency.
I keep a record of the
countries that our
customers have visited
and the landmarks theyve
seen in each country. It
helps us customize tours
for them."
We can use the matrix
diagram to uncover
relationships.
TRAVELER COUNTRY LANDMARK
TRAVELER
COUNTRY
LANDMARK
TRAVELER
LANDMARK
COUNTRY
MATRIX DIAGRAM
5
Matrix Diagrams
Copyright 2011, Oracle. All rights reserved.
Tell Me / Show Me
Matrix Diagrams
Relationships
discovered via the
matrix diagram are
drawn on the ERD.
Matrix diagrams do not
show optionality and
cardinality.
Each COUNTRY may
be visited by one or
more TRAVELERs.
TRAVELER COUNTRY LANDMARK
TRAVELER
COUNTRY
LANDMARK
visit have seen
visited by the location of
seen by located in
TRAVELER COUNTRY
LANDMARK
visit
visited by
the location of
located in have seen
Seen by
6
Matrix Diagrams
Copyright 2011, Oracle. All rights reserved.
Tell Me / Show Me
Terminology
Key terms used in this lesson include:
Matrix diagram
7
Matrix Diagrams
Copyright 2011, Oracle. All rights reserved.
Summary
Objectives Summarized
In this lesson, you have learned how to:
Identify relationships using a matrix diagram
Draw an ERD from a matrix diagram
8
Matrix Diagrams
Copyright 2011, Oracle. All rights reserved.
Summary
Practice Guide
The link for the lesson practice guide can be found in the
course resources in Section 0.