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Modeling

ERD modeling is the core feature of ThinkERD. This section covers the complete process of building a data model — from canvas operations and entity design to relationship definitions and SQL export.

Learning Roadmap

graph LR
    A["Canvas & View Modes"] --> B["Entity Management"]
    B --> C["Relationships & FK"]
    C --> D["Subtypes · Exclusive Arcs"]
    D --> E["SQL Export"]
    E --> F["Version Diff"]

If You're New

Step 1 — Learn basic operations in Canvas & View Modes Step 2 — Create your first entity in Entity Management Step 3 — Connect entities in Relationships & FK

To Understand Key Concepts

Page Directory

  • Canvas & View Modes

    Canvas operations, keyboard shortcuts, logical/physical/combined view modes, auxiliary tools

  • Entity Management

    Entity creation and editing, column definitions, data types, naming conventions

  • Relationships & FK

    Relationship creation, Barker's Notation details, relationship patterns (1:N, M:N, self-referencing)

  • Barker's Notation

    Comparison with IE/UML, entity representation, reading relationship lines, subtypes, and exclusive arcs

  • Subtypes

    Supertype–subtype entities, physical conversion strategies (single/separate/super+sub table)

  • Exclusive Arcs

    Exclusive Arc, data integrity, CHECK constraints

  • Notes & Zones

    Rich-text notes, Zone grouping, managing large-scale ERDs

  • SQL Export

    DDL generation, DBMS-specific conversion, Alter Script

  • Version Diff

    Visual Diff, change history, auto-generated Alter Scripts

  • Best Practices

    Naming conventions, normalization guidelines, review checklists