Scribd
Upload
36 views11 pages

Problems With ER Models

The document discusses two types of connection traps that can occur when designing entity relationship (ER) models: fan traps and chasm traps. A fan trap occurs when the relationship between entities is ambiguous, while a chasm trap suggests a relationship exists between entities when it does not. Examples are provided of ER models containing a fan trap and chasm trap, along with restructured models that remove the traps.

Uploaded by

david jhon
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
36 views11 pages

Problems With ER Models

The document discusses two types of connection traps that can occur when designing entity relationship (ER) models: fan traps and chasm traps. A fan trap occurs when the relationship between entities is ambiguous, while a chasm trap suggests a relationship exists between entities when it does not. Examples are provided of ER models containing a fan trap and chasm trap, along with restructured models that remove the traps.

Uploaded by

david jhon
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 11

Problem with ER Models

1
Problems with ER Models
 Problems may arise when designing a
conceptual data model called connection traps.

 Often due to a misinterpretation of the


meaning of certain relationships.

 Two main types of connection traps are called


fan traps and chasm traps.

2
Problems with ER Models
Fan Trap
Where a model represents a relationship between
entities, but pathway between certain entity
occurrences is ambiguous.
Chasm Trap
Where a model suggests the existence of a relationship
between entities, but pathway does not exist between
certain entity occurrences.

3
An Example of a Fan Trap

4
Semantic Net of ER Model with Fan Trap

At which branch office does staff number SG37


work?

5
Restructuring ER model to remove Fan Trap

6
Semantic Net of Restructured ER Model
with Fan Trap Removed

SG37 works at branch B003.

7
An Example of a Chasm Trap

8
Semantic Net of ER Model with Chasm Trap

At which branch office is property PA14


available?

9
ER Model restructured to remove Chasm Trap

10
Semantic Net of Restructured ER Model
with Chasm Trap Removed

11

You might also like