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2019 ch07 - EERM

The document discusses the enhanced entity-relationship (EER) model, which adds semantic concepts like specialization/generalization to the original ER model. Specialization/generalization allows entities to be organized into subclasses and superclasses, where subclasses represent distinct subgroups of a superclass. Attributes can be inherited from superclasses to subclasses. Constraints like participation and disjointness further define the relationships between subclasses and superclasses. Examples demonstrate modeling staff, owners, and other entity types as subclasses with attributes and constraints.

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41 views18 pages

2019 ch07 - EERM

The document discusses the enhanced entity-relationship (EER) model, which adds semantic concepts like specialization/generalization to the original ER model. Specialization/generalization allows entities to be organized into subclasses and superclasses, where subclasses represent distinct subgroups of a superclass. Attributes can be inherited from superclasses to subclasses. Constraints like participation and disjointness further define the relationships between subclasses and superclasses. Examples demonstrate modeling staff, owners, and other entity types as subclasses with attributes and constraints.

Uploaded by

Halo Halo
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Enhanced Entity-Relationship

Modeling

2019 CHAPTER 7
Objectives

 Limitations of basic concepts of the ER model and requirements to represent


more complex applications using additional data modeling concepts.

 Most useful additional data modeling concept of Enhanced ER (EER) model is


called specialization/generalization.

 A diagrammatic technique for displaying specialization/generalization in an


EER diagram using UML.

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Enhanced Entity-Relationship Model

 Since 1980s there has been an increase in emergence of new database


applications with more demanding requirements.

 Basic concepts of ER modeling are not sufficient to represent requirements of


newer, more complex applications.

 Response is development of additional ‘semantic’ modeling concepts.

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The Enhanced Entity-Relationship Model

 Semantic concepts are incorporated into the original ER model and called the
Enhanced Entity-Relationship (EER) model.

 Examples of additional concept of EER model is called specialization /


generalization.

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Specialization / Generalization

 Superclass
 An entity type that includes one or more distinct subgroupings of its occurrences.

 Subclass
 A distinct subgrouping of occurrences of an entity type.

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Specialization / Generalization

 Superclass/subclass relationship is one-to-one (1:1).

 Superclass may contain overlapping or distinct subclasses.

 Not all members of a superclass need be a member of a subclass.

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Specialization / Generalization

 Attribute Inheritance
 An entity in a subclass represents same ‘real world’ object as in superclass, and may
possess subclass-specific attributes, as well as those associated with the superclass.

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Specialization / Generalization

 Specialization
 Process of maximizing differences between members of an entity by identifying their
distinguishing characteristics.

 Generalization
 Process of minimizing differences between entities by identifying their common
characteristics.

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AllStaff relation holding details of all staff

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Specialization/generalization of Staff entity into
subclasses representing job roles

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Specialization/generalization of Staff entity into job
roles and contracts of employment

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EER diagram with shared subclass and subclass with its
own subclass

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Constraints on Specialization / Generalization

 Two main constraints that may apply to a specialization/generalization:


 participation constraints
 disjoint constraints.

 Participation constraint
 Determines whether every member in superclass must participate as a member of a
subclass.
 May be mandatory or optional.

 Disjoint constraint
 Describes relationship between members of the subclasses and indicates whether
member of a superclass can be a member of one, or more than one, subclass.
 May be disjoint or nondisjoint.

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Constraints on Specialization / Generalization

 There are four categories of constraints of specialization and generalization:


 mandatory and disjoint
 optional and disjoint
 mandatory and nondisjoint
 optional and nondisjoint.

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DreamHome worked example - Staff Superclass with
Supervisor and Manager subclasses

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DreamHome worked example - Owner Superclass with
PrivateOwner and BusinessOwner subclasses

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DreamHome worked example - Person superclass with
Staff, PrivateOwner, and Client subclasses

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Recap some concepts

EERM Specialization/Generalization Constraints


EERM model What is Specialization? Main constraints:
Limitation of ERM What is Generalization? • participation constraints
superclass Diagram • disjoint constraints.
subclass Categories of Constraints:
 mandatory and disjoint
 optional and disjoint
 mandatory and nondisjoint
 optional and nondisjoint.

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