Which of the following best describes a database?

A database is best described as a collection of interrelated data. This definition captures the essence of what a database is designed to do: to store, organize, and manage information in a way that makes it easy to access and manipulate. The interrelated nature of the data means that relationships between different data elements can be established, allowing for more complex queries and analyses.

For instance, in a relational database, data is organized into tables that can reference one another, enabling the establishment of relationships through keys. This structure supports efficient data retrieval and ensures data integrity, making it crucial for applications ranging from simple data storage to complex enterprise systems.

The other options, while related to database concepts, do not define a database itself. A set of users with database access pertains more to access control and user management rather than the database's structural definition. A programming interface for data access focuses on how users interact with the database rather than what a database comprises. Lastly, a physical storage device for data addresses the hardware aspect of data storage, which is a component of a database system but does not convey the conceptual framework of a database as a collection of interrelated data.