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9.3: Relationship Types

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    92187
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    The line that connects two tables, in an ERD, indicates the relationship type between the tables: either identifying or non-identifying. An identifying relationship will have a solid line (where the PK contains the FK). A non-identifying relationship is indicated by a broken line and does not contain the FK in the PK. See the section in Chapter 8 that discusses weak and strong relationships for more explanation.

    Figure 9.5. Identifying and non-identifying relationship.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Identifying and non-identifying relationship, by A. Watt.

    Optional relationships

    In an optional relationship, the FK can be null or the parent table does not need to have a corresponding child table occurrence. The symbol, shown in Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\), illustrates one type with a zero and three prongs (indicating many) which is interpreted as zero OR many.

    ZeroMany.png
    Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): Zero or Many. ("Zero or Many" by Patrick McClanahan is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0)

    For example, if you look at the Order table on  the right-hand side of Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\), you’ll notice that a customer doesn’t need to place an order to be a customer. In other words, the many side is optional.

    Cardinality-Optional-0-or-more-300x189
    Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\): Example usage of a zero to many optional relationship symbol, by A. Watt.

    The relationship symbol in Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\) can also be read as follows:

    • Left side: The order entity must contain a minimum of one related entity in the Customer table and a maximum of one related entity.
    • Right side: A customer can place a minimum of zero orders or a maximum of many orders.

    Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\)  shows another type of optional relationship symbol with a zero and one, meaning zero OR one.  The one side is optional.

    Ch-9-Optional-Arrow-2
    Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\):

    Figure \(\PageIndex{5}\) gives an example of how a zero to one symbol might be used.

    Cardinality-Optional-0-or-1-300x188
    Figure \(\PageIndex{5}\): Example usage of a zero to one optional relationship symbol, by A. Watt.

    Mandatory relationships

    In a mandatory relationship, one entity occurrence requires a corresponding entity occurrence. The symbol for this relationship shows one and only one as shown in Figure \(\PageIndex{6}\). The one side is mandatory.

    Ch-9-oneToOne-1
    Figure \(\PageIndex{6}\):

    See Figure \(\PageIndex{7}\) for an example of how the one and only one mandatory symbol is used.

    Ch-9-Mandatory-Cardinality-one-to-one-300x188
    Figure \(\PageIndex{7}\): Example of a one and only one mandatory relationship symbol, by A. Watt.

    Figure \(\PageIndex{8}\) illustrates what a one to many relationship symbol looks like where the many side is mandatory.

    Ch-9-oneToMany-3
    Figure \(\PageIndex{8}\):

    Refer to Figure \(\PageIndex{9}\) for an example of how the one to many symbol may be used.

    Ch-9-Mandatory-Cardinality-one-to-Many-300x188
    Figure \(\PageIndex{9}\): Example of a one to many mandatory relationship symbol, by A. Watt.

    So far we have seen that the innermost side of a relationship symbol (on the left-side of the symbol in Figure \(\PageIndex{10}\)) can have a 0 (zero) cardinality and a connectivity of many (shown on the right-side of the symbol in Figure \(\PageIndex{10}\)), or one (not shown).

    Ch-9-Zero-or-Many-1
    Figure \(\PageIndex{10}\):

    However,  it cannot have a connectivity of 0 (zero), as displayed in Figure \(\PageIndex{11}\). The connectivity can only be 1.

    Ch-9-Zero-or-Many-2
    Figure \(\PageIndex11}\):

    The connectivity symbols show maximums. So if you think about it logically, if the connectivity symbol on the left side shows 0 (zero), then there would be no connection between the tables.

    The way to read a relationship symbol, such as the one in Figure \(\PageIndex{12}\), is as follows.

    • The CustID in the Order table must also be found in the Customer table a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 1 times.
    • The 0 means that the CustID in the Order table may be null.
    • The left-most 1 (right before the 0 representing connectivity) says that if there is a CustID in the Order table, it can only be in the Customer table once.
    • When you see the 0 symbol for cardinality, you can assume two things: T
      1. the FK in the Order table allows nulls, and
      2. the FK is not part of the PK since PKs must not contain null values.
    Ch-9-Cust-to-Order-ERD-300x168
    Figure \(\PageIndex{12}\): The relationship between a Customer table and an Order table, by A. Watt.

     

    Key Terms

    business rules: obtained from users when gathering requirements and are used to determine cardinality

    cardinality: expresses the minimum and maximum number of entity occurrences associated with one occurrence of a related entity

    connectivity: the relationship between two tables, e.g., one to one or one to many

    constraints: the rules that force DBMSs to check that data satisfies the semantics

    entity integrity: requires that every table have a primary key; neither the primary key, nor any part of it, can contain null values

    identifying relationship: where the primary key contains the foreign key; indicated in an ERD by a solid line

    integrity constraints: logical statements that state what data values are or are not allowed and which format is suitable for an attribute

    mandatory relationship:one entity occurrence requires a corresponding entity occurrence.

    non-identifying relationship: does not contain the foreign key in the primary key; indicated in an ERD by a dotted line

    optional relationship: the FK can be null or the parent table does not need to have a corresponding child table occurrence

    orphan record: a record whose foreign key value is not found in the corresponding entity –  the entity where the primary key is located

    referential integrity: requires that a foreign key must have a matching primary key or it must be null

    relational database management system (RDBMS): a popular database system based on the relational model introduced by E. F. Codd of IBM’s San Jose Research Laboratory

    relationship type: the type of relationship between two tables in an ERD (either identifying or non-identifying); this relationship is indicated by a line drawn between the two tables. 

     

     

    Exercises

     

    Read the following description and then answer questions 1-5 at the end.

    The swim club database in Figure 9.5.16 has been designed to hold information about students who are enrolled in swim classes. The following information is stored: students, enrollment, swim classes, pools where classes are held, instructors for the classes, and various levels of swim classes. Use Figure 9.5.16 to answer questions 1 to 5.

    SwimClubDatabase
    Figure \(\PageIndex{16}\): ERD for questions 1-5. (Diagram by A. Watt.)

    The primary keys are identified below. The following data types are defined in the SQL Server.

    tblLevels 
    Level – Identity PK
    ClassName – text 20 – nulls are not allowed

    tblPool
    Pool – Identity PK
    PoolName – text 20 – nulls are not allowed
    Location – text 30

    tblStaff
    StaffID – Identity PK
    FirstName – text 20
    MiddleInitial – text 3
    LastName – text 30
    Suffix – text 3
    Salaried – Bit
    PayAmount – money

    tblClasses
    LessonIndex – Identity PK
    Level – Integer FK
    SectionID – Integer
    Semester – TinyInt
    Days – text 20
    Time – datetime (formatted for time)
    Pool – Integer FK
    Instructor – Integer FK
    Limit – TinyInt
    Enrolled – TinyInt
    Price – money

    tblEnrollment
    LessonIndex – Integer FK
    SID – Integer FK (LessonIndex and SID) Primary Key
    Status – text 30
    Charged – bit
    AmountPaid – money
    DateEnrolled – datetime

    tblStudents
    SID – Identity PK
    FirstName – text 20
    MiddleInitial – text 3
    LastName – text 30
    Suffix – text 3
    Birthday – datetime
    LocalStreet – text 30
    LocalCity – text 20
    LocalPostalCode – text 6
    LocalPhone – text 10

    Implement this schema in SQL Server or access (you will need to pick comparable data types). Submit a screenshot of your ERD in the database.

    1. Explain the relationship rules for each relationship (e.g., tblEnrollment and tblStudents: A student can enroll in many classes).
    2. Identify cardinality for each relationship, assuming the following rules:
      • A pool may or may not ever have a class.
      • The levels table must always be associated with at least one class.
      • The staff table may not have ever taught a class.
      • All students must be enrolled in at least one class.
      • The class must have students enrolled in it.
      • The class must have a valid pool.
      • The class may not have an instructor assigned.
      • The class must always be associated with an existing level.
    3. Which tables are weak and which tables are strong (covered in an earlier chapter)?
    4. Which of the tables are non-identifying and which are identifying?

     


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