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 the 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 database management for planning and communicating database schemas.
Developers should learn ERDs when designing relational databases, as they provide a clear blueprint for structuring tables, keys, and constraints, which reduces errors and improves data integrity. They are essential in use cases like system analysis, database migration, or when collaborating with stakeholders to ensure requirements are met before implementation.