9.1 ER Modeling In software engineering, an entityrelationship model (ER model) is a data model for describing the data or information aspects of a business domain or its process requirements, in an abstract way that lends itself to ultimately being implemented in a database such as a relational database. The main components of ER models are entities (things) and the relationships that can exist among them. An Entity-relationship model (ERM) is an abstract and conceptual representation of data. ER modeling is a DB modeling method, used to produce a type of conceptual schema of a system. Diagrams created by this process are called ER diagrams Sequence: Conceptual data model (i.e. ER) is, at a later stage (called logical design), mapped to a logical data model, (e.g. relational model); this is mapped to a physical model in physical design. ER Model is used to interpret, specify & document requirements for DBs irrespective of DBMS being used. The ER diagram of the project Online Examination System is shown in Fig 9.1.
Online Examination System
Fig 9.1:- ER diagram for online examination system. Online Examination System
9.2 Data Flow Diagram (DFD)
A data flow diagram (DFD) is a graphical representation of the "flow" of data through an information system, modeling its process aspects. Often they are a preliminary step used to create an overview of the system which can later be elaborated. DFDs can also be used for the visualization of data processing (structured design). A DFD shows what kind of information will be input to and output from the system, where the data will come from and go to, and where the data will be stored. It does not show information about the timing of processes, or information about whether processes will operate in sequence or in parallel. Online Examination System
Fig 9.2:- Data Flow Diagram for online examination system. Online Examination System
Fig 9.3:- Context diagram for online examination system. Online Examination System
Fig 9.4:- Level 1 DFD for online examination system. Online Examination System
Fig 9.5:- Level 2 DFD for process 2 (update subjects). Online Examination System
Fig 9.6:- Level 2 DFD for process 3 (update questions). Online Examination System
Fig 9.7:- Level 2 DFD for process 8 (exam process).