title: Difference between associative entity and associative relationship attribute?
body: <p>What is the difference between an associative entity and an associative relationship attribute? In my book titled, Modern Database Management (Hoffer, 11th edition), the author states that there is a difference between the two. Though, it doesn't really explain why there's a difference, instead, it just gives examples of how they're different. </p>
  
  <p>From what I gather, a relationship that has a <strong>single</strong> attribute associated with it is an associative relationship attribute and is denoted with a dashed line to a rounded-corner rectangle with that attribute inside that rectangle. Whereas an associative entity is <strong>more than one</strong> attribute that describe the relationship. Both can only be used for many-to-many relationships in ER diagramming. Is my thought process correct? </p>
  
  <p>Edit - Also, I forgot to mention, with associative entities, they also have an attribute that is an unique identifier, at least, this is what I think. </p>