An entity relationship diagram describes the structure of information. Start with the things you need to store, give them identifiers and explain how many of one entity can relate to another. Cardinality and optionality are separate questions: an order can have several lines, while a new customer can have no orders yet.
Supply keys and relationship rules
List the attributes that identify each entity and the fields that refer to another entity. Explain mandatory relationships in plain language. “An order must belong to exactly one customer” gives more information than “Customers have orders.”
A many-to-many relationship usually needs an association entity in a relational schema. In the example, OrderLine connects an order and a product, and stores the quantity and price agreed for that line.
Check the model with edge cases
Test a customer with no orders, an order with multiple products and a product that has never been ordered. Decide how canceled or deleted records behave. If an attribute can be missing, say so. Do not infer deletion or cascade rules merely from a connecting line.
Ask “Show optionality at both ends and explain why OrderLine is needed.” Compare the explanation to your business rules before implementing a database migration.
Keep a diagram separate from a live database
The drawing is a model of the information you provide. It does not connect to, inspect or modify your database. Review column types, constraints, indexes and migration safety in your own database tools.
Use a data flow diagram to show how these records move through the application, or an architecture view to locate the database in the wider system.
Make it about your work
Edit this starting prompt, then send it when you are ready.