3.7.1 SSADM Convention
In the Systems Analysis method known as SSADM (Structured Systems Analysis and Design Method) a different convention for drawing in the relationship types between entity types is adopted. Instead of denoting the name of a relationship type and its inverse, that is, thinking of both directions of a relationship type, SSADM shows one end of a relationship type and the other end. This is closely analogous to using directions as we have done, but it leads to a rather curious effect. The cardinality of a relationship type is shown at one end of the relationship line and the optionality at the other!
This is illustrated in Fig. 3.21. In (a) the usual method of representing a relationship type has been shown. Note that R is a one-many optional relationship type and its inverse S is mandatory. R is optional because an A can be related to zero or more B's. S is mandatory because a B can be related to a minimum of one A's.
In (b), the SSADM method of showing the same relationship type is shown. A may be related to one or more B's by relationship R. The word `may' is denoted by the dotted line. It is meant to convey the idea that an A might not be related to any B. That is shown at the left end of the relationship type. The right end of the relationship type has a crowsfoot meaning `one or more', so A can be related to zero, one or more B's and this is expressed by the sentence `an A may be related to one or more B's'. The two disadvantages of this notation are :