In a database, what is a row that contains information about a specific item called?

A row in a database that contains information about a specific item is commonly referred to as a tuple. In database terminology, a tuple represents a single set of related data, often corresponding to a particular instance of the entity that the table is designed to represent. Each tuple contains fields (or attributes) that hold specific values, collectively defining the characteristics of that item in the context of the database.

While "record" is also often used interchangeably with the term tuple in many database contexts, the term tuple specifically emphasizes the mathematical and theoretical foundations of relational databases, making it a precise choice in discussions of database structures. Hence, understanding that a tuple encapsulates all the information related to a specific item helps clarify its significance in database management and design.

The term "column," on the other hand, refers to the vertical division of a table that contains all values for a specific attribute of the items, while "entry" is a more general term that could refer to any piece of data within the database without the specific implications of structure that "tuple" conveys.