What is a row also referred to as in a relational database?

In a relational database, a row is often referred to as a tuple. This terminology comes from the mathematical foundation of relational databases, where a tuple represents a single, ordered set of values corresponding to the attributes (columns) of a relation (table). Each tuple essentially contains data for one record, encompassing all necessary details related to a single instance of the entity the table represents.

Understanding this concept is essential because it helps clarify how relational databases organize and access information. The other terms in the options relate to different concepts in a database context; for example, an entity refers to a distinct object or thing represented in the database, an attribute denotes a property or characteristic of an entity (which would correspond to a column in a table), and a relation refers to the entire table itself. Recognizing these distinctions allows for a deeper comprehension of database design and structure.