HIM 650 Topic 3 DQ 1

HIM 650 Topic 3 DQ 1

What are the benefits or disadvantages of ER diagrams?

Entity-relationship diagrams (ERDs) are a logical representation of data that describes the relationships among entities and attributes. The central reasons for choosing an entity relation (ER) model over physical design are as follows (Al-Shamailh, 2015):

  • Simplicity in concept. An ERD can be easily drawn if the relationships between entities and attributes are understood.
  • Visual representation that is explicit. After reviewing the diagram, the database structure may be simply understood.
  • Effectiveness of communication Standard symbols for different types of data make it easier to understand how the database works after it’s finished.
  • Extremely adaptable. With slight adjustments, the ER data model can be simply turned into any other data model.

The characteristics mentioned above are also the primary benefits of ERDs. However, it is necessary to state the disadvantages of the concept to acquire a holistic picture of the matter:

  • Relationship representation is limited. In comparison to other data models, the model has a limited number of relationships.
  • There is no depiction of data modification. Because the methods for displaying data modification in ERD are somewhat complex, the model is only useful in limited situations.
  • There isn’t a standard for notation in the industry. The notation standards differ depending on a developer’s preference, causing confusion while viewing the diagrams.
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