Relationship Model:
Basic Terminologies
Welcome to this presentation about the foundational terminologies
used in a relationship model for databases. Understanding these
terms is essential for effectively designing and working with
database systems. Let's dive into the key concepts!
What is an Entity?
Real-world object Unique Identity
An entity represents a real-world object or concept that Each entity possesses a unique identifier that sets it
is relevant to the information being stored in a apart from other entities within the database. This
database. Examples include students, books, identifier helps ensure that each entity can be
customers, or orders. distinguished and tracked separately.
Entity Types
1 Categorization 2 Abstraction 3 Data Organization
Entity types classify entities Entity types provide a level of Entity types facilitate the
based on their common abstraction by focusing on the organization of data in a
characteristics or properties. general features of a group of database, allowing for efficient
For instance, "Student" is an entities rather than the storage, retrieval, and
entity type that groups specific details of individual manipulation of information.
together all students in the entities.
database.
Entity Sets
Collection of Entities Data Representation
An entity set is a collection of all entities of a specific Entity sets form the basis for representing data in a
type. For example, a database might contain an database. By grouping entities into sets, we can
entity set for "Students" that includes every student establish relationships between them and manage
in the system. the data more effectively.
Attributes
Entity Data Values Information
Characteristic Representatio
Each attribute can
s n
hold a specific data
Attributes describe value for each Attributes play a
the properties or entity. These values crucial role in
characteristics of an are used to representing
entity. For example, populate the information about
a "Student" entity database with entities. They
might have information about enable us to
attributes like the entities. capture and store
name, age, address, relevant details that
and major. define the entities.
Primary Keys
1 Unique Identification
A primary key is a unique identifier for each entity within
an entity set. It ensures that no two entities have the
same value for the primary key.
2 Data Integrity
Primary keys are essential for maintaining data integrity.
They prevent duplication of entities and ensure that each
entity can be referenced uniquely.
3 Relationship Management
Primary keys are used to establish relationships between
different entity sets. They act as a common reference
point for linking entities together.
Relationships
Entity Connections
Relationships represent the connections or
associations between entities in a database. They
describe how entities are related to each other.
Data Integrity
Relationships help maintain data integrity by ensuring
that data changes in one entity set are reflected in
related entity sets, preserving consistency.
Data Model
Relationships are a key element of a data model,
which represents the overall structure of the database
and how data is organized.
Cardinality Constraints
Data Integrity
Cardinality constraints help
Relationship Limits 2 enforce data integrity by ensuring
that relationships are consistent
Cardinality constraints define the
with the defined rules.
number of entities that can be 1
involved in a relationship. They Data Model
specify the maximum and
Cardinality constraints are an
minimum number of entities
integral part of a data model,
allowed in a relationship.
providing essential information
3
about how entities are connected
in a database.
