_______ indicates the maximum number of entities that can be involved ...
Explanation:
In a relational database, the maximum number of entities that can be involved in a relationship is referred to as the maximum cardinality. It specifies the upper limit on the number of instances of one entity that can be associated with a single instance of another entity through a relationship.
Cardinality in Relationships:
In database design, cardinality refers to the relationship between two entities. It describes how many instances of one entity can be related to how many instances of another entity. Cardinality is usually represented using minimum and maximum values.
Minimum Cardinality:
Minimum cardinality represents the minimum number of instances of one entity that must be associated with instances of another entity. It specifies the lower limit on the number of instances required for a valid relationship.
Maximum Cardinality:
Maximum cardinality represents the maximum number of instances of one entity that can be associated with instances of another entity. It specifies the upper limit on the number of instances allowed in a relationship.
Example:
Let's consider a simple example of a relationship between two entities: "Students" and "Courses". The relationship between them is "Enrollment".
- The minimum cardinality of the "Enrollment" relationship might be 0, indicating that a student does not have to be enrolled in any course.
- The maximum cardinality of the "Enrollment" relationship might be 5, indicating that a student can be enrolled in up to 5 courses.
Conclusion:
The maximum cardinality indicates the maximum number of entities that can be involved in a relationship. It helps define the upper limit on the number of instances of one entity that can be associated with a single instance of another entity.