Synonyms
Entity-relationship model; ER Model; ERM
Definition
The entity relationship model (ERM) is a conceptual model that represents the information structure of a problem domain in terms of entities and relationships. The result of modeling using the ERM is graphically represented as an entity relationship diagram (ERD). Thus, an ERD represents the conceptual structure of a problem domain being modeled. ERDs are widely used in database design and systems analysis to capture requirements of a system or a problem domain. In particular, when used for data modeling, the ERD assists the database designer in identifying both the data and the rules that are represented and used in a database. ERDs are readily translated into relational database schemas.
Historical Background
The ERM was introduced by Peter Chen in 1976 [2]. The ERM and its variations have been widely used in database modeling and design, systems analysis and design methodologies, computer-aided software engineering (CASE)...
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Song, IY., Chen, P.P. (2018). Entity Relationship Model. In: Liu, L., Özsu, M.T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Database Systems. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8265-9_148
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8265-9_148
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