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Whenever there are mandatory-minimums on both sides of a one-to-one relationship, or an optional-minimum on one side of a one-to-one relationship, should the two entities be combined into a single entity?

1) Yes
2) No

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

It depends on the specific system requirements and entity contexts. Entities might be combined for simplicity and integrity, or kept separate if they have distinct characteristics.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question of whether two entities should be combined into a single entity in a database design scenario where there are mandatory-minimums on both sides of a one-to-one relationship, or an optional-minimum on one side, cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. It depends on the specific requirements of the system and the context in which the entities exist. However, in general, if two entities are highly dependent on each other and do not make sense without one another, it may be logical to combine them into a single entity. This helps to simplify the design and ensure data integrity. Conversely, if there's a clear distinction between the responsibilities and characteristics of the entities, keeping them separate may be the better choice.

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