Association (Semantic) Relationship

An association indicates that one entity works together with one or more other entities to create meaning that goes beyond the component entities. The association relationship encapsulates this chunk of meaning that extends beyond the boundaries of the individual entities.

In object-technology, associations are usually thought of as the most generic kind of relationship. In psychology and in semantic model generally, semantic associations are often treated as a specialized kind of relationship on a peer level with other kinds of relationships such as a whole-part.

Example: An Order is fulfilled by a Customer Service Representative.

This statement embodies one relationship between the entity Order and the entity Customer Service Representative. The name of this relationship is fulfilled by. In English, there is also a directionality implied from Order to Customer Service Representative.

Last Modified January 2003. Send your comments?

©2002, 2003 John M. Artim