Definition of a supertype — assess the statement: “A supertype is an entity type that captures common attributes or relationships shared across more specific subgroupings (subtypes).” Choose whether this is correct or incorrect.

Introduction / Context:
Supertype/subtype modeling promotes reuse and clarity by factoring shared properties into a generalized entity (supertype) and capturing specialized properties in subtypes. The statement describes a supertype as the holder of common attributes or relationships across subgroupings. This aligns with standard EER/UML definitions.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Supertype represents generalized business meaning (for example, Party with subtypes Person and Organization).
• Subtypes inherit keys and common attributes/relationships from the supertype.
• Supertype/subtype supports disjointness/overlap and total/partial coverage constraints.

Concept / Approach:
The supertype contains what is common; subtypes contain what is unique. This reduces duplication, eases maintenance, and provides a clean path to relational or object implementations. The modeling choice should reflect real business semantics, not just technical convenience.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Check for reduced redundancy in data models and simpler constraint management when common attributes reside in the supertype. Mapping to relational schemas preserves the supertype key in subtypes.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• “Incorrect” contradicts the standard definition.
• Limiting to UML or a fixed number of subtypes is arbitrary.
• Physical design choices do not change the conceptual definition.

Common Pitfalls:
Creating supertypes without genuine commonality; proliferating subtypes for minor differences; ignoring performance and implementation trade-offs when moving to physical design.

Final Answer:
Correct