Chapter 4 Building Conceptual Data Models

Changing a relationship into an associative entity

You can transform a relationship into an associative entity linked by two relationships. Next, you can attach entity attributes to this associative entity, that you could not attach to the relationship.

The associative entity gets the name and code of the relationship. The two new relationships handle cardinality properties.

To change a relationship into an associative entity:

1. Right-click a relationship symbol.
   
   The relationship contextual menu is displayed.
2. Select Change to Entity→Standard from the contextual menu.
   
   
      Customizing entity wizard
   You can also select Change to Entity→Wizard from the contextual menu. A step by step wizard takes you through a more detailed procedure for defining an associative entity.
   
   
   
   An associative entity with two relationships replaces the relationship. The associative entity takes the name of the original relationship.

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