title: Relate a Notes table to multiple Entity tables using Entity Framework 4
body: <p>I’m after some advice on database/entity design (I’m using the model designer for Entity Framework 4).  </p>
  
  <p>I have a number of entities (<code>Entity_1</code>, <code>Entity_2</code>, <code>Entity_3</code> …  <code>Entity_n</code>) I’d like to be able to attach notes to each entity where each record in <code>Entity_1</code> can have 0 or multiple notes, like wise for <code>Entity_2</code> etc. </p>
  
  <p>After some Googling and messing around I’ve come up with the following, but I’m getting my <code>0—1’s</code>,<code>1-1’s</code> and <code>*-*’s</code> all confused now and could do with a reality check :) so I’d like to know Stack Overflows suggestions on the best way to architect this scenario for maintainability and ease of programing against.</p>
  
  <p>I found two SO questions that are related, but opinions seem divided. I’d also like to get opinions in the context of using EF4 once the database is created.</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li><p><a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/3738344/associating-notes-with-different-entities-in-a-database">Associating notes with different entities in a database</a></p></li>
  <li><p><a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/3584517/best-way-to-implement-a-notes-table-for-many-entities-tables-in-sql">Best way to implement a Notes Table for many entities Tables in SQL</a> </p></li>
  </ul>
  
  <h2>Option 1</h2>
  
  <p><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/Si7qK.png" alt="Option 1"></p>
  
  <h2>Option 2</h2>
  
  <p><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/C105j.png" alt="enter image description here"></p>
  
  <h2>Option 3</h2>
  
  <p>Every record has a globally unique Id and that Id links to a Note.</p>
  
  <p>What are your thoughts?</p>