Online Examination System

9. Project Life Cycle (DFD & ERD)

9.1 ER Modeling

In software engineering, an entity–relationship model (ER model) is

a data model for describing the data or information aspects of a business
domain or its process requirements, in an abstract way that lends itself to
ultimately being implemented in a database such as a relational database. The
main components of ER models are entities (things) and the relationships that
can exist among them.

An Entity-relationship model (ERM) is an abstract and conceptual

representation of data. ER modeling is a DB modeling method, used to
produce a type of conceptual schema of a system. Diagrams created by this
process are called ER diagrams

Sequence: Conceptual data model (i.e. ER) is, at a later stage (called
logical design), mapped to a logical data model, (e.g. relational model); this
is mapped to a physical model in physical design. ER Model is used to
interpret, specify & document requirements for DBs irrespective of DBMS
being used.

The ER diagram of the project “Online Examination System” is shown

in Fig 9.1.
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Fig 9.1:- ER diagram for online examination system.

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9.2 Data Flow Diagram (DFD)

A data flow diagram (DFD) is a graphical representation of the "flow"

of data through an information system, modeling its process aspects. Often
they are a preliminary step used to create an overview of the system which
can later be elaborated. DFDs can also be used for the visualization of data
processing (structured design).

A DFD shows what kind of information will be input to and output

from the system, where the data will come from and go to, and where the data
will be stored. It does not show information about the timing of processes, or
information about whether processes will operate in sequence or in parallel.
 Online Examination System

Fig 9.2:- Data Flow Diagram for online examination system.

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Fig 9.3:- Context diagram for online examination system.

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Fig 9.4:- Level 1 DFD for online examination system.

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Fig 9.5:- Level 2 DFD for process 2 (update subjects).

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Fig 9.6:- Level 2 DFD for process 3 (update questions).

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Fig 9.7:- Level 2 DFD for process 8 (exam process).