A Detailed Comparison: Chen's, Crow's Foot, and IDEF1X Data Modeling

This report provides a comparative analysis of three data modeling techniques: Chen's notation, Crow's Foot notation, and IDEF1X. It addresses the problem of developing consistent relationships among entities in database management systems and explores how each modeling technique offers solutions. The report details the terminology, concepts, and applications of each notation, including their strengths and weaknesses in managing complex database systems and developing semantic data models. A sample case of a school database is used to demonstrate the notations. The report concludes by noting a drawback of these modeling techniques: the inability to indicate data types and sizes for attributes. Desklib offers this solved assignment and other resources for students.

Running head: CHEN VS CROWS FOOT NOTATION VS IDEF1X
CHEN VS CROWS FOOT NOTATION VS IDEF1X
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1CHEN VS CROWS FOOT NOTATION VS IDEF1X
Introduction
The aim of this report is to describe the way problems can be solved with the use of
different modeling languages. The chosen modeling language for this report are Chen’s,
Crow’s foot and IDEF1X. With the help of Crow’s Foot diagram the relative cardinality of
the relationship can be determined. The problems faced with developing a proper relationship
between the entities can be avoided with the following modeling techniques. The report will
describe about the importance of modelling language and the way it will help in avoiding the
problems. The report will also provide solution towards this problems.
Problem
Modelling techniques are used for completing the project and also helps in analysis
process by gathering loopholes within the system. An entity-relationship diagram (ERD)
helps in data modeling technique. This allows the user to illustrate the information systems
entities and relationship between each entity with the graphical illustrations. Basically an
ERD is a representational and conceptual model that is used for the purpose of representing
the data within the entity framework. With the implementation of this technologies the visual
representation can be done effectively. This technology are the best tools that allows easy
communication within the system. This technology will help to provide proper assistance
towards the database designers. ERD is the complete combination of data flow diagram that
results in producing effective visual representation. Apart from this, the technology will help
to provide with effective communication and will allow flow of effective information within
the system. The user will be able to easily understand the relationship between the different
fields. This offers the user to understand the relationships between entities easily that are
created by the expert designers. There are different variables used for representing the
information with different shapes. This will help the user to understand the diagram more

2CHEN VS CROWS FOOT NOTATION VS IDEF1X
easily. Moreover the ERD model offers high flexibility. The database can be linked among
the information with effective relationship models. ERD helps in computing the data that are
maintained within a database or within an information system. The main issue that is faced
with the development of ERD is to develop a consistent relationship among the entities.
Proper identification and development of relationship is important so that each modelling
technique can be adopted with maximum benefit. Crow’s foot helps in working with complex
database system. Every type of complex database can be managed with this modelling
language. This uses Visio list shapes for organizing the attributes within the entity. On the
other hand Chen’s model helps to define the data that can be implemented successfully within
the relational database. IDEF1X is used Integration DEFinition for managing information
modelling (IDEF1X). This is basically a data modelling language that is used for
development of semantic data models. This are also used for the purpose of developing a
graphical information model that mainly aims at representing the structure along with
semantics of information within the system. This modelling language will help the user to
overcome the challenges and problems faced by them.
Solutions for the identified problem
The problem of database management system has been identified in this report and for
the solution to the problem the modelling techniques are used. The modelling techniques help
in identification of the main entities and the classes associated with the system. The main
modelling concept to be used is the Entity Relationship Diagram.ERD is a form of
Conceptual (Data) Modelling. It establishes the main (classes of) Entities and the nature of
the relationships between them. ERD can employ different notation variations. The main
variations in notations which are considered for the report are CHEN, CROWS FOOT
NOTATION and IDEF1X. Entity Relationship diagram visually shows the various entities
(tables) and relationship between entities ie, how two tables are inter-related and their

3CHEN VS CROWS FOOT NOTATION VS IDEF1X
cardinality. eg, one to one , one to many or many to many. In addition to this, the ER
Diagram is also helpful in the identification of the different attributes which helps in defining
the physical model of the database. The problems of the relations can be solved very easily
with the help of this technique. The technique would provide the information about the
references on the tables in the database. In addition to this, the physical model would also be
assisted to a great extent. The model would be able to define the primary keys and the foreign
keys, which would be helpful for the developer to understand and create the database
accordingly. In addition to this, the candidate keys for the system would also be identified
with the help of the Entity Relationship diagram modelling technique.
Terminology, Concepts and details of CHEN VS CROWS FOOT
NOTATION VS IDEF1X
Integration definition is mainly used for information modelling is basically a data
modelling language that is used for the purpose of developing semantic data models. This
terminology is used for the purpose of producing graphical information model and helps in
representing the structure related to semantics information within the environment. This
concepts are used for several purpose that includes planning of data resources that includes
planning for the preliminary data model that are used to provide overall view and needs to
run an enterprise. This models are further used for the purpose of analysing the scope of the
projects and the data resources that will be used for development of the project. Apart from
this building of shareable databases is also for fully developed model. Apart from this it also
helps in generating databases that are consistent and shareable and helps in development of
the cost with the help of data modelling. Apartfrom this evaluation of vendor software also
becomes important for representing the infrastructure of the organization. This is a
technology that is mainly used for the purpose of semantic data modelling technique. This are
mainly used for the purpose of graphical information model that are further used for

4CHEN VS CROWS FOOT NOTATION VS IDEF1X
representing the structure of information stored within the system. The data structure is used
for defining the conceptual data and is also concerned with the implementation strategy. The
goal of semantic data models that is to perform abstraction properly. This terminology helps
for high level modelling primitives as data model helps in facilitating the real world
situations. The data instance explicitly includes relationship that comes under different data
elements such <is located in>. Thus it can be stated that semantic data model helps in
standardizing the relations that expresses the facts including their own meaning. Apart from
this one of the semantic data models are meant for creating semantic databases. This possess
the ability to include semantic database that aims at facilitating distributed databases that
enables applications to analyse the contents that are stored within the database. This also
determines the applicability of object oriented databases within the system.
Chen’s model is used for abstracting the data model this defines the data that is tired
within the information structure. This are implemented in the form a database in the form of
relational database. Chen’s model is entity relationship modelling helps in easy development
of the software. The main features offered by the Chen ERD software includes drag and drop
interface, ensures proper reshape handles and easy selection of the tools. Apart from this the
Chen software also offers auto connection, alignment and helps in distribution of shapes. In
addition to this the ERD model also offers readily available templates and built in symbols
for popular vector format. The Chen’s model provides proper symbol that ensure easy
development of the model. This includes cloud symbol representation along with smaller ER
diagrams based on the context of logical design. In this diagram the double box stands for
representing a weak entity which are mainly dependent on their parent entity. Diamond
symbol is used for representing the type of relationship maintained between the entities.
Relationship are added adjacent to liens for indicating the connectivity and cardinality among
the entities. Apart from this the data structure diagram are used for the purpose of showing I:

5CHEN VS CROWS FOOT NOTATION VS IDEF1X
M relationships. Chen has described the concept of look across cardinality. However
attributes are often eliminated as they possess the chance of cluttering up a diagram. In
addition to this there are several other diagram techniques that are listed along with the list of
entity attributes with the use of rectangles drawn for describing the entity sets.
Crow's foot notation, was designed early back by the Gordon Everest (1976). This
was used for the purpose of Structured Systems Analysis and Design Method (SSADM) and
information technology engineering. Crow's foot diagrams are represented with the help of
boxes for entities and relationships as lines between the boxes. Crow’s foot notation was
invented long back and are represented with the use of boxes and relationships. For
representing entities boxes are used and relationships are determined with the help of lines
between this boxes. Crows foot notation are used for the consultancy practice CACI. The
notations are used for representing the relationship between the attributes. This symbol helps
in indicating the state of the relationship whether it is mandatory or optional. This is defined
with the use of symbol of multiplicity. Crows foot notation is used for the multiplicity and are
represented with the help of three-pronged 'crow-foot' symbol. An optional relationship is
represented by an empty circle. The main purpose of this diagram is to facilitate data
modelling technique with the use of graphical representation. This are used for representing
the relationship between the entities and the information system associated with the entities.
This is basically a theoretical and representational model that are used for the purpose of
determining the data set used with the help of entity framework infrastructure. Every entity
are represented in a way that can be easily understood by the users. Thus this ERD model will
facilitate the user in better understanding the concept.

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Demo
For the demo discussion in the report, a sample case of a school has been considered
here. It has been assumed that the schools consists of a number of departments and a number
of faculty and subjects under each department. In addition to this, the each of the department
are to be identified by their unique identification number and the faculty and the subjects in
the department are to be identified by their faculty ID and subject code. Additionally, this
example is only considered for a demo, hence this example will have a limited scope only.
The Crows Foot Notation for the above described example is provided below:
The Chen Notation for the above described example is provided below:

7CHEN VS CROWS FOOT NOTATION VS IDEF1X
The IDEF1X Notation for the above described example is provided below:

8CHEN VS CROWS FOOT NOTATION VS IDEF1X
Other Constraints and drawbacks
The model is very helpful identification of the major entities and the attributes of the
system are very efficient in providing the designer with the visualization for the development
of the database. However there is major drawback for the modeling technique as the
visualization is unable to indicate data type for the attributes identified for the systems. In
addition to this the size of the attributes are also not known by the ER diagrams. Hence, this
is a major drawback for the modeling techniques which have been identified in the previous
parts of this report.
Conclusion
For conclusion it can be said that, the report has been developed for the identification
of the modeling technique that used for the development of the designs for the database
developer that would be helpful for the development of the database. The report includes the

9CHEN VS CROWS FOOT NOTATION VS IDEF1X
problems that arises in real life and the solution for the problem has been also described in
the report. In addition to this, the Terminology, Concepts and details of CHEN VS CROWS
FOOT NOTATION VS IDEF1X have been compared in this report. A demo example has
been included in this report. The constraints and the drawbacks of the system has been also
described in this report. Hence, this report is very helpful for understanding the three models
described in this report. The illustrations have also been included in this report so that the so
that the reader can easily get accustomed to the notation that are being used in the model. The
advantages of the use of the models are also identified in this report.

10CHEN VS CROWS FOOT NOTATION VS IDEF1X
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