Question

Describe the two alternatives for specifying structural constraints on relationship types. what are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

Answer 1

Answer:

The two alternatives for specifying structural constraints on relationship types are:

• Cardinality ratio and

• Participation constraint

Cardinality ratio

Cardinality ratio is a simple way of specifying designs, it is specifies the maximum number of relationship a body/ entity can be engaged in.

Advantage of Cardinality ratio

It is used to simply complex designs

Disadvantage of Cardinality ratio

No specific number can be said to be maximum

Participation constraint

Participation constraint specifies the dependency of an entity on another entity based on the relationships existing between the entities.

Advantage of Participation constraint

It specifies the maximum number of relationship an entity can engage

It shows the dependency of an entity on another

Disadvantage of Participation constraint

It is a more expensive alternative

Explanation:

So we can conclude that the two alternatives for specifying structural constraints on relationship types are:

Cardinality ratio and Participation constraint

I hope this helps