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Foreign keys can have a NULL value, while primary keys cannot. Another notable difference is the ability to delete keys. If a primary key is deleted from the parent table, it will cause a malfunction, but foreign keys can easily be removed from child tables.

Though quite similar on the surface, the functions of primary and unique keys differ, making them both a vital part of relational database tables. Primary keys are usually incremental in value, and create clustered indexes, while unique keys are the opposite. There can be one or many unique keys, while there can only be one primary key. Both types of key can exist within the same table.

We’ve talked about Lucidchart plenty of times in the past, but how does it stack up against Miro?  Lucidchart and Miro are two amazing diagramming tools used by software developers for plotting out databases. These services aren’t just for developers though, people from all industries can benefit from a well made diagram.

The ER model’s main focus is on entities, and how they interact with each other. The relational model is more focused on information, and tables with related data make up the database. The relational model is a representational or implementation model, and ER models are conceptual or high-level models.

Another important aspect of ER diagrams is cardinality and relationships. All of these components work together to show the parts of a database, the details of the objects within the database, and how they relate to other objects. Cardinality is a mathematical term, and as stated above, it tells us the number of interactions entities have with each other.

In the world of diagramming tools, Lucidchart is one of the best and most well known programs on the market today. However, you may find Lucidchart to be lacking in some ways, or maybe you just want to try something new. There are a lot of excellent alternatives out there, and here are some of our favorites.

The main difference between UML and ER diagrams is that UML is a language used to create diagrams, whereas ERDs are a type of diagram. UML is used for planning software development, and is used in many different diagrams for various purposes. ER diagrams do not focus on the software, but rather the modelling of databases, which are usually part of a software system.

Smartdraw allows you to create mind maps, infographics, decision trees, software designs, and much more. Visio offers much of the same, but some templates are not available in this standard plan, like mind maps and org charts. SmartDraw also has an intelligent formatting engine, which will automatically change the format when you add, move, or delete shapes.

Hi Gleek.io fans! Welcome to our roundup of the huge number of improvements that have been added to Gleek in the last year. Gleek version 3 is a huge step forward and we’re proud to say that we’ve achieved everything on our roadmap for 2021. We also listened to your valuable feedback and implemented some unplanned changes to make Gleek work even better for you.

Before drawing an ER diagram for our hospital management system, we should spend some time considering the entities and attributes we need to include. Our system will be used for managing appointments, patients, doctors, and payments across hospitals.

We’re going to create an ER diagram for an online shopping system, so briefly explore the entities we’ll need and some of the attributes they should include. We can start with the customer. It’s the customer who will be the active agent in this system, so that makes sense. At a minimum, our customer needs a unique customer ID number, a name, and an email address.

There aren’t many things in this world that can’t be captured with a good flowchart. Flowcharts are diagrams used for showing the steps of virtually any process; from the clear and linear, to processes with a dozen variables and decisions. In the technology sector, they’re used to show the flow of algorithms, system processes, and many other aspects. Flowchart symbols are generally easy to read.

We’re going to use Gleek to create a sequence diagram that will describe how a library management system operates. First, let’s work out the objects that we want to represent in our diagram. We’re designing a library management system, so we’ll need at least four basic elements: Member, Librarian, Book, and Transaction. With Gleek, we don’t need to set these up separately when creating a sequence diagram.

Class diagrams can be used to model lots of different types of systems, from library management to ATM systems. For this example, we’re going to design a restaurant management system from scratch. You’ll learn what classes you need to create, the attributes and methods they should have, and how the classes interact to make sure the restaurant runs smoothly and processes orders all the way from the chef to the table!

Entity-relationship diagrams, also called ERDs or ER diagrams, are flowchart-like diagrams that explain the structure of entities, attributes, and their relationships in a database. They are mainly used for relational database design, and can be used to troubleshooting designs. There are many notations and symbols that are unique to ERDs that you need to know in order to read and create them.

The main difference between activity and sequence diagrams is that activity diagrams focus on the flow of activities, whereas sequence diagrams focus on how objects interact with each other over time. Activity diagrams show the workflow and how objects interact with each other, and sequence diagrams look at the messages sent between objects over time.

Making a purchase online involves a lot of back and forth between the user, the store, the payment gateway, and even potentially a bank, if a transfer is involved. That makes this kind of system perfect for describing with a sequence diagram. So let’s get to it!

Let’s create an example of a class diagram. We’ll use a bank ATM system so that we can model a few different interactions between classes. First, we need to work out what classes we need. We can start with the Bank class. The bank needs a code to identify it and an address. The methods that the bank class can use to interact with its ATM are manage and maintain. 

The logical data model also has long-term value as documentation for later stages in the development process and beyond. With a solid logical data model, it can be easier and faster to make changes or correct errors. A logical data model can also be used for impact analysis to determine the effect of changes in business requirements, rules, entities, attributes, or relationships.

The conceptual model sketches out the entities to be represented and determines what kinds of relationships exist between them. It deals with the scope of the database to be created and defines the general rules that need to be considered.

So, maybe you’re a budding entrepreneur, looking to create a product for the first time. Or perhaps your business struggles with launching new products because of disorganization. Whatever your situation is, everyone can benefit from using the new product development process.

Gliffy is focused on providing support to software engineers, but can be used by people in other industries. They provide plans for small businesses and large enterprises. Visio can be used by groups or individuals of any size, from freelancers all the way up to large businesses.

Cardinality is represented in an entity-relationship diagram by using notation to clarify the relationships between entities. Two commonly used systems of notation are Chen notation and Crow’s Foot notation. But what are the differences between them and how can you decide which is right for you? Join us for a detailed comparison between Chen notation and Crow’s Foot notation.

A fragment in a sequence diagram is a rectangular frame drawn over part of the diagram. They represent conditional structures that affect the flow of messages. These frames are known as combined fragments in the UML specification and the container is known as the interaction operand. The frame is labeled in the top-left corner. This label is known in UML as the interaction operator.

Let’s talk sequence diagram tools. What are they? What can you use them for? Which one is best for you and your team? We’ve compiled a list of the top 8 UML sequence diagram tools on the market in 2021, and can hopefully answer some of these questions for you.

Physical models are all about building the database. Primary, secondary, and foreign keys are worked out, along with restraints and the actual tables and columns to be used. Database management and optimization come into play, as does data normalization. Hardware is now also considered, along with the specific Database Management System (DBMS), such as MySQL, MongoDB, or Azure SQL Database, that will best suit the project.

If you’re just getting started with data modeling, there are three different techniques you should experiment with. Two are highly visual, while the third is useful for added detail and can be combined with either of the others.

Visual problem solving is the process of using aids like charts or diagrams to display all the aspects of a problem in order to find viable solutions. When problem solving, sometimes it’s hard to see what’s causing the problem, or other relationships and correlations that are affecting whatever it is you’re working on. Two common methods for problem solving include mind maps and flowcharts

Data modeling is a way to visualize a data storage system. The system is represented by a diagram that attempts to explain the data to be stored, the relationships between the different types of data, and the formats, attributes, and rules that make the system work.

Lucidchart and Draw.io have plenty of things in common, which makes choosing the best one for your team or business a little complicated. While they offer very similar services and benefits, there are some differences that make each stand out.

UML diagrams are increasingly being used for less formal business purposes, especially for the rapid communication of ideas between teams and stakeholders. UML is now at version 2.5 and it allows for 14 different types of diagrams.

Any UML diagram consists of model elements. Relationships add information to your diagram by clarifying the way that elements interact or depend upon each other. They describe the behavior that is desired, or can be expected, between elements.

Confluence is a wiki, or knowledge base, to help teams collaborate and share project assets. Resources such as product requirements, design documents, ideas, meeting notes, calendars, and all relevant information or materials can be stored in Confluence and accessed by everyone involved in the project. And now you can use our new Gleek app with Confluence!

Now you can also use Gleek diagrams in Azure DevOps. Diagrams are an efficient and clear way to explain ideas to other team members or document processes. Incorporating Gleek’s unique diagramming syntax into your workflow will enable you to create diagrams in minutes, using just your keyboard.

UML, which stands for Unified Modeling Language, is a set of definitions and symbols used to visualize and describe the connections in a software system. UML communication diagrams, formerly known as collaboration diagrams, show the relationships between objects, and how messages flow between applications.

Do you often work on large, complicated projects by yourself or with a team? Chances are you’ve heard of LucidChart and Gliffy. Both of these services provide easy-to-use diagramming tools for all types of projects. From flowcharts to mind maps, diagrams are used to organize, collaborate, and track progress on projects or plans.

Developers use entity-relationship diagrams to sketch out designs for databases. As their name suggests, enhanced entity-relationship diagrams take ER diagrams a step further and allow for much more complex designs for modern databases. EER diagrams give developers the tools to add detail and better understand how their database should be designed.

A sequence diagram is a type of UML (Unified Modelling Language) diagram that is used to model interactions between objects in a system over time. The sequence diagram lets a developer sketch out and demonstrates how processes will behave and interact in sequence.

In practice, many kinds of teams use Confluence to structure and manage projects. Confluence works especially well for teams working remotely or from many different locations. Confluence helps agile teams because it encourages transparency and open communication.

Cross-functional flowcharts show steps and decisions in a process, as a regular flowchart. They differ in that they show extra information in a grid or in columns or rows.

Sequence diagrams show an overview of the interactions between objects in a system over time. Also called event diagrams or event scenarios, sequence diagrams depict the sequential events that occur and the processes that are completed.

UML class diagram relationships show how one class affects another. Sometimes one class acts as a parent to another. Other times the one class might inherit the function of another class.

A flowchart is a diagram that shows a process, decision, or action in a project. It helps teams organize and visualize systems. Most importantly, flowcharts must be easy to read and understand.

Class diagrams help us illustrate a system’s structure. Class diagrams use Unified Modeling Language (UML). In class diagrams, we explain how a system will work with classes and their attributes, operations, and relationships.

Flowcharts help teams organize and visualize systems. Frank and Lillian Gilbreth created the first flowchart in 1921. Their tool became part of industrial engineering curricula. Soon after it became a tool for teams in many other fields.

Nowadays, we need powerful tools to properly map out a database. ER diagrams graphically represent the relationships between different parts of a database. This allows team members to easily explain the database structure to all stakeholders.

Software development has become more complicated. UML retains an important place in any software development project. UML gives teams a valuable tool for mapping complex software projects.

So you’ve signed up with Gleek and you want to make some diagrams. But you’re not sure where to start… Don’t worry, here’s our quick start guide to using Gleek. Once you’ve read this, you’ll be happily diagramming like a pro 💪

A relational schema is a blueprint used in database design to represent the data to be entered into the database and describe how that data is structured in tables (called relations in relational schemas). The schema describes how those tables relate to each other.

We create databases to store information about things that exist in the real world. If it can be uniquely identified as being separate from other things and recorded in a database, it can be a database entity. Database entities can be persons, places, events, objects, or concepts, such as a university course, job, or online order. A database can record and describe each of these, so they’re all potential database entities.

Hey Gleek.io fans, the app just got a major update! What’s new? Completely new layout engine (based on Mermaid). Diagrams are generated much faster than ever before (like lightning!). Added option to save the diagram as an SVG image. Added option to fit diagram into screen window (without scrollbar).

A process map is a diagram that identifies all the steps in the process. Process mapping illustrates the flow of data or materials, the tasks, decisions, and relationships between the steps taken in the process. A good process map will define the starting conditions, the steps, the people involved, the final results, and can even be used to measure the success of the process.

Architecture (or architectural – both are used) diagrams are primarily about making it easier to communicate and collaborate with all stakeholders in a project. An architecture diagram will show the concepts involved in the architecture, including key principles, elements, and components. They are high-level diagrams that aim to represent the big picture and make it clearly understandable.

Concept maps were first used in universities in the 1970s, but are now also used by engineers, designers, businesses, and anyone who needs to illustrate how concepts relate to each other. Creating a concept map is a way to organize, explore, and expand your understanding of a topic. When you create a graphical overview of ideas, you make them easier to comprehend and also remember.

A method often used to create an entity-relationship diagram is crow’s foot notation. Introduced in the 1970s, the distinctive arrows used in crow’s foot notation have also been called inverted arrows, chicken feet, or just forks.

When you start working on a new project, you need to know what external entities will be involved and how they will interact with your system. A system context diagram will help you to work out these relationships without getting too involved in the details of how your system works.

Before you create a new database, you have to work out what elements you’ll include and how they relate to each other. That’s where the entity-relationship diagram (ERD) comes in. An ERD is ideal for rapidly sketching out a database at the conceptual level. If you plan the overall scope of what you need, you’ll waste less time when you get to actually building the database.

The logical structure of a database, including its relationships and constraints, is called a data model. The design of the structure decides how the data is accessed and stored. Businesses need correct and reliable data to make decisions. Even a small error can cause the data to go ‘unreliable’ and be unsuitable for decisions. Counting on such data can result in losses.

Best software development tools are heavily in demand. The software industry is among the largest and fastest-growing industries out there. The whole IT industry is worth $5.2 trillion (2020), hence it doesn’t come as a surprise that more and more people want to be a part of the industry.

The ER model comes with a standardized diagrammatic technique that makes it quick and easy to design a database. Each of the three basic elements in the model - entity, attribute, and relationship - is represented by a shape.

The first premium feature for Gleek is integration with Git source control repositories. The idea was to enable users who would like to version their diagrams or are concerned with their project privacy, to use their own Git repos to store their Gleeks.

Gleek takes a completely new approach to diagraming, so we wanted to take a moment to share some tips we’ve learned having used this product over the last months during its development.

Gleek is an app that we built to scratch an itch we’ve had at Blocshop for a long time. We are a software development company that works almost exclusively with remote clients.