What is a tuple?Select one:a.A field in a relationb.An index on a tablec.A way for a database to store tablesd.A collection of attributes of a relation

Understanding the Concept of a Tuple

In the context of databases, a tuple is a critical concept within the relational model. Let’s analyze the provided options to identify the correct definition of a tuple.

1. Option A: A field in a relation

   • This is incorrect. A field refers to a single piece of data; in relational terms, it corresponds to an attribute.

2. Option B: An index on a table

   • This is not correct either. An index is a database object that speeds up the retrieval of rows from a table; it is not synonymous with a tuple.

3. Option C: A way for a database to store tables

   • This is misleading. While tuples are part of the structure within tables, this definition is too vague.

4. Option D: A collection of attributes of a relation

   • This is the correct definition. A tuple represents a single row in a relational database table, which consists of a set of values (attributes) for a specific entity.

Final Answer

The correct answer is: d. A collection of attributes of a relation. A tuple corresponds to a row in a table, encapsulating related data fields (attributes) that define a particular record.