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 DIAGRAM 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)

Design elements - UML class diagrams

The vector stencils library "UML class diagrams" contains 38 symbols for the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software.
"... classes are represented with boxes which contain three parts:
(1) The top part contains the name of the class. It is printed in Bold, centered and the first letter capitalized.
(2) The middle part contains the attributes of the class. They are left aligned and the first letter is lower case.
(3) The bottom part gives the methods or operations the class can take or undertake. They are also left aligned and the first letter is lower case. ...
To indicate a classifier scope for a member, its name must be underlined. ...
An association can be named, and the ends of an association can be adorned with role names, ownership indicators, multiplicity, visibility, and other properties. ...
Aggregation ... is graphically represented as a hollow diamond shape on the containing class end of the tree with a single line that connects the contained class to the containing class.
... graphical representation of a composition relationship is a filled diamond shape on the containing class end of the tree of lines that connect contained class(es) to the containing class.
... graphical representation of a Generalization is a hollow triangle shape on the superclass end of the line (or tree of lines) that connects it to one or more subtypes.
... graphical representation of a Realization is a hollow triangle shape on the interface end of the dashed line (or tree of lines) that connects it to one or more implementers. A plain arrow head is used on the interface end of the dashed line that connects it to its users.
Multiplicity ... representation of an association is a line with an optional arrowhead indicating the role of the object(s) in the relationship, and an optional notation at each end indicating the multiplicity of instances of that entity (the number of objects that participate in the association).
Entity classes ... are drawn as circles with a short line attached to the bottom of the circle. Alternatively, they can be drawn as normal classes with the «entity» stereotype notation above the class name." [Class diagram. Wikipedia]
The example "Design elements - UML class diagrams" is included in the Rapid UML solution from the Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.

UML class diagram symbols

Used Solutions

Software Development >

Rapid UML

IDEF0 standard with ConceptDraw DIAGRAM

The activity of any organization is more or less branchy network of processes. The description of these processes is a hard technical task which requires definite methodology and standards. According to the IDEF0 standard any process can be described in the form of a block (Activity Box) which has inputs and outputs. The process consists in transformation of inputs into outputs under the influence of the management and in the presence of necessary resources. Outputs of the given process later on can be either inputs for the next process or resources, or management means.

HelpDesk

How to Create a Bank ATM Use Case Diagram

UML diagrams are often used in banking management for documenting a banking system. In particular, the interaction of bank customers with an automated teller machine (ATM) can be represented in a Use Case diagram. Before the software code for an ATM, or any other system design, is written, it is necessary to create a visual representation of any object-oriented processes. This is done most effectively by creating a Unified Modeling Language (UML) diagram, using object-oriented modeling. UML works as a general purpose modeling language for software engineers or system analysts, offering a number of different diagram styles with which to visually depict all aspects of a software system. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming software, enhanced and expanded with the ATM UML Diagrams solution, offers the full range of icons, templates and design elements needed to faithfully represent ATM and banking information system architecture using UML standards. The ATM UML Diagrams solution is useful for beginner and advanced users alike. More experienced users will appreciate a full range of vector stencil libraries and ConceptDraw DIAGRAM 's powerful software, that allows you to create your ATM UML diagram in a matter of moments.

HelpDesk

How to Draw the Different Types of Pie Charts

Using the Pie Chart, you can visually estimate the relative contribution that different data categories contribute to a whole value. The pie chart displays the statistics in a visual format. The main use of pie charts to show comparisons. The larger piece of the pie, the more the value of this value compared to the rest. Various applications of pie charts can be found in business and education. For business, pie charts can be used to compare the success or failure of the goods or services. They may also be used to display the business market share.

EXPRESS-G data Modeling Diagram

EXPRESS-G data Modeling Diagram solution extends the ConceptDraw DIAGRAM software functionality with capabilities of EXPRESS data modeling language, includes powerful data modeling tools, Express-G diagram tool, database diagram tool, database design tool, wide variety of pre-made vector objects of EXPRESS-G notation and EXPRESS-G diagrams samples allowing software developers, software designers, software engineers and other stakeholders to make their data models for information systems, to develop the databases, to learn the principles of construction EXPRESS-G diagrams and helping to draw their own EXPRESS-G Data Modeling Diagrams, Express-G Diagrams or Database Model Diagram without any efforts.

Organizational Charts with ConceptDraw DIAGRAM

Organizational chart or Orgchart is a diagram that depicts the structure of an organization using the terms of work responsibility and rank position. It is a useful and convenient format to visually illustrate the relationships within an organization, which is moreover applicable for organization of any size. Typically, an Organizational chart is constructed from the rectangular object blocks, which represent a job title, a person's name and relationships associated with them. You looks for the powerful Orgchart software? ConceptDraw DIAGRAM software is exactly what you've been searching long. Extended with Organizational Charts Solution, ConceptDraw DIAGRAM offers great-looking examples and samples of Orgcharts, built-in templates and various types of predesigned vector block objects and connectors for creation all kinds of Organizational Charts - from simple to complex multi-page. When designing the chart for large organization with complex branched structure, may be convenient to divide it into few smaller charts.

HelpDesk

How to Draw a Circle-Spoke Diagram

Making circle-spoke diagram is a very useful technique if you want to explore cause and effect. A Circle-Spoke Diagram is a tool that is often used in the marketing sphere. Circle-spoke diagram consists of a central circle surrounded in a round arrangement by related sub-circles. They are used to depict the features or components of a central item in a number of areas. Circle-spoke diagram is widely used in marketing and management documents as well as presentations. A Circle-Spoke Diagram is a very useful tool if you want to perform the Cause and Effect analysis. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM delivers the ability to make circle-spoke diagrams of various styles with its Circle-Spoke Diagrams solution.

Object-Role Modeling (ORM) Diagrams

Object-role Modeling (ORM) Diagram solution with powerful vector diagramming and data modeling tools, large quantity of specially developed samples and examples, and rich variety of vector objects corresponding to common ORM notation, ideally suits for developing the comprehensive, clear and visual Object-role Modeling (ORM) diagrams and schematics, understandable for all interested people from the different fields and business directions, for designing the ORM models, and demonstrating advantages from the use of ORM and its notation. It is intended for software developers and computer engineers, specialists in a field of Object-oriented programming (OOP), database architects, web-application constructors and developers, etc.

Transport map - Vector stencils library

The vector stencils library "Transport map" contains 96 pictograms for drawing transport maps.
Use it in your spatial infographics for visual representation of transport schemes and plans as metro maps in the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Spatial Infographics solution from the area "What is Infographics" of ConceptDraw Solution Park.

Train Railway