Final answer:
The columns in a database are called fields, which are the smallest units of data with assigned meaning. A record represents a row, and a table is a collection of related records. (option D)
Step-by-step explanation:
In a relational database, data is organized into tables, with each table consisting of rows and columns. The columns represent the attributes or characteristics of the data, and each column is referred to as a field. Therefore, the correct term for the columns in a database is "fields."
For example, consider a database table for storing information about employees. The columns (fields) in this table might include "EmployeeID," "FirstName," "LastName," and "Department," each representing a specific attribute of the employee data. The actual data for each employee is then stored in the rows of the table.
The distinction between terms is important for accurately describing and working with the components of a database. While tables contain records (rows), the individual attributes within those records are the fields.