Entity Relationship Diagram
An Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD) is a visual representation used in database design to model the structure of a database system. It illustrates entities (objects or concepts), their attributes (properties), and the relationships between them, helping to define how data is organized and connected. ERDs are a foundational tool in software engineering and data modeling for planning and communicating database schemas.
Developers should learn ERDs when designing or working with relational databases, as they provide a clear blueprint for database structure, ensuring data integrity and efficient querying. They are essential in use cases like system analysis, database migration, or when collaborating with stakeholders to align on data requirements, reducing errors in implementation.