Entity Relationship Diagram Symbols

Creating an entity-relationship (ER) model is to visually represent the structure of a business database, where data equates to entities (or objects) that are linked by defined relationships expressing dependencies and requirements. By nature it is an abstract visualization, the first step in the design process towards creating a logical and functional database.
ERD symbols used for professional ERD drawing are collected in libraries from the Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD) solution for ConceptDraw PRO.

ERD Symbols and Meanings

Crow's foot notation is used in Barker's Notation, Structured Systems Analysis and Design Method (SSADM) and information engineering. Crow's foot diagrams represent entities as boxes, and relationships as lines between the boxes. Different shapes at the ends of these lines represent the cardinality of the relationship.
The Chen's ERD notation is still used and is considered to present a more detailed way of representing entities and relationships.
To create an ERD, software engineers mainly turn to dedicated drawing software, which contain the full notation resources for their specific database design - ERD symbols and meanings. CS Odessa has released an all-inclusive Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD) solution for their powerful drawing program, ConceptDraw PRO.

Data structure diagram with ConceptDraw PRO

Data structure diagram (DSD) is intended for description of conceptual models of data (concepts and connections between them) in the graphic format for more obviousness. Data structure diagram includes entities description, connections between them and obligatory conditions and requirements which connect them. Create Data structure diagram with ConceptDraw PRO.

ConceptDraw PRO ER Diagram Tool

ER-diagram is a tool used for database modeling which allows to determine data and relationships among the data. These diagrams help to detail data storages and to document all the properties of designed system. ER-diagram contains entities, attributes of the entities and the relationships between them. Chen’s notation and Crow’s foot notation are commonly used to represent elements in ER-model. To create such diagram you should use specific software, such as Entity-Relationship Diagram solution for ConceptDraw Pro.
ConceptDraw ER Diagram Tool works across any platform, meaning you never have to worry about compatibility again. ConceptDraw PRO allows you to make Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD) on PC or macOS operating systems.

Data Flow Diagram

Data flow diagram (DFD) is the part of the SSADM method (Structured Systems Analysis and Design Methodology), intended for analysis and information systems projection. Data flow diagrams are intended for graphical representation of data flows in the information system and for analysis of data processing during the structural projection. Data flow diagram often used in connection with human process and can be displayed as workflow diagram. The critical Process Flow Diagram is another flowchart technique for designing data flow in connection with organizational processes. The critical Process flow diagram may use different range of symbols than a classic workflow diagram.

Data Modeling Diagram

The vector stencils library Activity diagrams from the solution Rapid UML contains specific data modeling symbols for ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software. The Rapid UML solution is contained in the Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.

Business process Flow Chart — Event-Driven Process chain (EPC) diagrams

Event-Driven Process chain Diagrams for improvement throughout an organisation. Best software for Process Flow Diagram. The Event-driven Process Chain (EPC) Diagrams allows managers to plan processes and resources.

Example of DFD for Online Store (Data Flow Diagram) DFD Example

Data flow diagrams (DFDs) reveal relationships among and between the various components in a program or system. DFDs are an important technique for modeling a system’s high-level detail by showing how input data is transformed to output results through a sequence of functional transformations.
Example of DFD for Online Store shows the Data Flow Diagram for online store and interactions between the Visitors, Customers and Sellers, as well as Website Information and User databases.

Database Design

ConceptDraw PRO extended with IDEF Business Process Diagrams solution from the Business Processes area of ConceptDraw Solution Park is an ideal software for effective database design and drawing IDEF diagrams visually representing all steps of database design process.

JSD - Jackson system development

Jackson System Development (JSD) is a linear method of system development created by Michael A. Jackson and John Cameron in the 1980s. It comprises the whole software life cycle directly or providing a framework for more specialized techniques.
When implementing the Jackson System Development method and designing JSD diagrams, you can succesfully use the powerful and helpful tools of ConceptDraw PRO software extended with Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD) solution from the Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.