Entity Relationship (E-R) Model

Objective:

To create an Entity Relationship (E-R) Model.

To become comfortably in the use of a database modeling tool.
By studying and critiquing the models of classmates to see errors that can occur in E-R Models and how they are corrected.
To understand the critical importance of having a correct model before proceeding.
To practice ways to ensure validity of the model

Assignment:

Using a drawing tool (SmartDraw), create an E-R diagram of your data base.
Upload it to your Virtual Hard Disk
Post a summary (2-5 sentences) on the Message Board to make fellow students aware.
Write the Business Rules with Microsoft Word and upload the .doc file to your Virtual Hard Disk
Post a summary (2-5 sentences) on the Message Board to make fellow students aware.

Details:

	Read Text (R&C read Chapter 1.5.4 then Chapter 3 pages 109 to 159)
	Study E-R diagrams in the text carefully (especially the Crow's foot)
	Check out the web sites that also explain E-R Diagrams...As this is an online course, it is important that you work through several of these examples. UTexas website explains E-R modeling very clearly.
	Download and install SmartDraw
	Take the SmartDraw tutorial
	Draw your E-R Diagram showing Entity names and 1 to many relationships
	Use appropriate symbols to show 1:M relations - see text for explanation of shapes

	Post a summary (2-5 sentences) on the Message Board to make fellow students aware.
	Look at other students posts
	Critique models(s) of one or more other students by downloading it, making changes as needed and uploading it to your Virtual Hard Disk. Then post a summary of how you improved the model and why.
	Study your critiques
	Improve your diagram as needed
	Note you may revise your E-R model when writing Business Rules derived from the model show the model to be lacking.
	You may again revise your E-M when creating keys and relationships based on the model again prove that the model needs modification.

Procedure:

Install SmartDraw and take the SmartDraw tutorial.

Start SmartDraw.

Draw your E-R model showing all entities, attributes and relationships that you described in your database description

	Use crows feet
	Include all entities and all attributes
	Name all relationships
	Make sure the one and many are next to correct entity
	Show optional versus mandatory as
	Underline or bold primary key

Post it on your Virtual Hard Disk

Log your efforts on the Bulletin Board.

Download and Review team member's E-R models.

Provide feedback (3 good idea that you will incorporate in your diagram, and 3 problems and suggestions for improvement/correction).

Download and Review other students' E-R models.

Provide feedback (3 good idea that you will incorporate in your diagram, and 3 problems and suggestions for improvement/correction)

Incorporate other student's good ideas into your E-R diagram and upload it. Then Log a summary of the modifications on the Bulletin Board.

Check your feedback. Either reply to the post explaining why it isn't a great idea. or improve your E-R diagram as suggested. Then upload your modified diagram to the Virtual Hard Disk in your directory and log a summary of the modifications on the Bulletin Board.

Objective:

To create an Entity Relationship (E-R) Model.

Assignment:

Using a drawing tool (SmartDraw), create an E-R diagram of your data base. Upload it. Post the fact on the Message Board.
Write the Business Rules with Microsoft Word and upload the .doc file. Post the fact on the Message Board.

Details:

	Read Text
	Study E-R diagrams in the text
	Check out the web sites that also explain E-R Diagrams...As this is an online course, it is important that you work through several of these examples. UTexas website explains E-R modeling very clearly.
	Download and install SmartDraw
	Take the SmartDraw tutorial
	Draw your E-R Diagram showing Entity names and 1 to many relationships
	Use appropriate symbols to show 1:M relations - see text for explanation of shapes (Connolly & Begg, page 344-5)
	Post E-R diagram
	Look at other students posts
	Critique team member and others
	Study your critiques
	Improve your diagram as needed
	Note you may revise your E-R model when writing Business Rules derived from the model show the model to be lacking.
	You may again revise your E-M when creating keys and relationships based on the model again prove that the model needs modification.

Procedure:

Install SmartDraw.

Start SmartDraw.

Draw your E-R model showing all entities, attributes and relationships.

	Use crows feet
	Include all entities and all attributes
	Name all relationships
	Make sure the one and many are next to correct entity
	Show optional versus mandatory as
	Underline or bold primary key

Post your at the Virtual Hard Disk in your directory.