What is the mathematical term for a row in a database table?

A row in a database table is mathematically referred to as a tuple. In the context of relational databases, a tuple represents a single record or a complete set of field values that are stored in a row. Each field in a tuple corresponds to a column of the table, and together they make up a unique entry within that table.

The term "tuple" originates from set theory and is used in the context of relational databases to denote a finite ordered list of elements, which effectively describes the nature of rows in a table. Each tuple holds data that characterizes a specific instance of the entity represented by the table.

In contrast, a column pertains to a specific attribute of the entity, while degree refers to the number of columns in a table. The term relation is used to describe a table itself, encompassing the structure of rows and columns in a database but does not specifically denote a single row. Thus, the use of "tuple" accurately captures the essence of what a row represents in a database context.