Abstract

The entity-relationship (ER) model is clearly established as a conceptual model of choice when building relational database systems. Once the ER model is built, it can be mapped algorithmically to the relational model and consequently to the data definition language (DDL) of SQL. Algorithmic mapping of the ER model to the relational model can produce foreign keys referencing each other’s tables cyclically. This cyclical reference of foreign keys generates irresolvable deadlocks when enforcing the referential integrity rule using the cascading option. However, it is not obvious for database designers while building an ER model. In this article, we provide a set of rules of ER modeling for avoiding cyclical references of foreign keys.

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