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Entity Relationship Diagram Symbols

The semantic modeling method nowadays is successfully applied in database structure design. It is effective method of modeling the data structures, which is based on the meaning of these data. As a tool of semantic modeling, there are used different types of Entity-Relationship Diagrams. Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD) is applied to visually and clearly represent a structure of a business database. The main components of ERDs are: entity, relation and attributes. An entity is a class of similar objects in the model, each entity is depicted in the form of rectangle and has the name expressed by a noun. Relation is shown in the form of non-directional line that connects two entities. There are several notation styles used for ERDs: information engineering style, Chen style, Bachman style, Martin Style. The Entity Relationship Diagram symbols used for professional ERD drawing are predesigned by professionals and collected in the libraries of the Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD) solution for ConceptDraw PRO software.

ERD Symbols and Meanings

Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD) is a popular software engineering tool for database modeling and illustration the logical structure of databases, which uses one of two notations - Chen's or Crow’s Foot. Crow's foot notation is effective when used in software engineering, information engineering, structured systems analysis and design. Each of these notations applies its own set of ERD symbols. Crow's foot diagrams use boxes to represent entities and lines between these boxes to show relationships. Varied shapes at the ends of lines depict the cardinality of a given relationship. Chen's ERD notation is more detailed way to represent entities and relationships. ConceptDraw PRO application enhanced with all-inclusive Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD) solution allows design professional ER diagrams with Chen's or Crow’s Foot notation on your choice. It contains the full set of ready-to-use standardized ERD symbols and meanings helpful for quickly drawing, collection of predesigned ERD samples, examples and templates. ConceptDraw Pro is a great alternative to Visio for Mac users as it offers more features and can easily handle the most demanding professional needs.
How to Build an Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD)
How to Build an Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD)

Entity Relationship Diagram - ERD - Software for Design Chen ER Diagrams

The Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD) solution from ConceptDraw Solution Park extends ConceptDraw PRO vector graphics and diagramming software with the ability to describe a database using the Entity-Relationship (Chen) model. Use it for design your ERDs and verify that ConceptDraw PRO offers the best ERD diagrams software tools for design element Chen notation.

Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) with ConceptDraw PRO

Program Evaluation and Review Technique (abbr. PERT) is a method developed by Ministry of Defense of the USA in 1958 for the project of creation the missile system Polaris. PERT diagram is one of the tools for project management that lets greatly simplify the planning and scheduling of large and complex projects. PERT diagram provides evaluation of project run-time and labor forces, it helps to analyze the time necessary for execution each of project tasks and the whole project, and to calculate the project critical path. PERT chart depicts the set of tasks connected each other in order of their execution and is constructed according to one of definite rules - AOA (activity on arrow) or AON (activity on node). It doesn't give you ready concrete decisions, but helps to find them. Design easy the PERT diagrams in ConceptDraw PRO software enhanced with Seven Management and Planning Tools solution from Management area of ConceptDraw Solution Park. You have a possibility to build the PERT chart of any type, but AON variant is easier for building and perception.

Anyone Have an ERD Symbols Quick Reference?

ERD drawing becomes easier with predesigned entity relationship symbols, work flow shapes, entity relationship stencils. All variety of ERD symbols you may need for ERDs design is packed into libraries and templates from Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD) Solution for ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software. But anyone have an ERD symbols quick reference? Detailed reference information for them is represented at the tables.

ER Diagram Tool

Creating of Entity-Relationship Diagrams (ERDs) is a complex process that requires convenient, automated tools. ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software offers a powerful ER Diagram Tool - the Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD) Solution from the Software Development Area.

Entity Relationship Diagram Examples

Creation of Entity-Relationship (ER) model is a visual representation the structure of a business database, where data equates to entities or objects, which are linked by defined relationships expressing dependencies and requirements. By the nature, the ER model is an abstract visualization, a first step in design process towards creating a logical and functional database. ConceptDraw PRO professional software gives the ability to effectively describe a database using the Entity-Relationship model. Included to ConceptDraw Solution Park, the Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD) solution contains the set of predesigned vector icons advocated by Chen's and Crow’s Foot notations that both can be used for data modeling and describing a database. Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD) solution includes also helpful templates and incredibly large collection of varied Entity Relationship Diagram examples and samples offered at ConceptDraw STORE. Each of them can be used to develop your own model of a database of arbitrary complexity.
How to Build an Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD)
How to Build an Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD)

Design Element: Chen for Entity Relationship Diagram - ERD

Entity-Relationship Diagrams (ERDs) were developed and introduced as a convenient and visual tool for the data modeling, they are the perfect way for easy determining data and also relationships between them. The first standard notation for ERD was proposed by Chen. Chen's notation is very rich on the data modeling tools and standard notation symbols and elements for drawing easy understandable Entity-relationship diagrams, Attribute diagrams, Decomposition charts, which are especially popular for designing relational databases. The entity is the main term, it is a set of instances abstract or real objects with common characteristics or attributes. Any system's object is represented by one uniquely identified entity, relationships describe the links between the entities. ConceptDraw PRO diagramming software, which includes the Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD) solution, offers all needed tools for professional drawing ER diagrams. Specially developed vector ERD design elements according to Chen and Crow's Foot notations are indispensible for professional ERDs design.

Databases Access Objects Model with ConceptDraw PRO

ConceptDraw Basic gives the opportunity of interaction with any ODBC-compatible databases. For this the Database Access Objects Model is provided. All calls to the database are made by certain methods of objects of this model.

Developing Entity Relationship Diagrams

When you need to visually represent the structure of relational database, Entity relationship diagram (ERD) is a type of diagram for that case. Most entity-relationship diagrams can be built with objects from Flowchart solution or ERD Solution which contains inbuilt templates. Follow these steps to create your own custom ERD diagram. Don't be frightened if it looks complex, ConceptDraw PRO makes it easy to create an ERD, and hundreds of other diagrams, in minutes.