Re: Terminology for composite attributes

dawn wrote:
>
> Question 1: Is "composite attribute" a good, understandable, phrase for
> this in a similar way that "multivalued attribute" is for the previous
> scenario?

Yes. The terms "simple properties / attributes" and "composite properties / attributes" are widely understood in ER modelling. In database theory you can write papers using terms like "composite values" and most people will know what you mean. No points for guessing why I am certain of this. :-)

> Phone is still an attribute with multiplicity of one, even if the
> __________ is now greater than one. I would fill in that blank with
> "degree" but that is likely to be misunderstood.
>
> Question 2: Is there a better word to use to fill in that blank?

I would take "arity". As in the arity of a tuple.

PS. To quote the article you reply to in Google groups click on "show options" next to the top of the article, and then select "reply".

• Jan Hidders