In a database, what are structured collections of data organized in rows and columns called?

In a database, structured collections of data organized in rows and columns are referred to as tables. Tables serve as the foundation for storing information in a relational database, allowing users to arrange data categorically. Each table consists of rows, known as records or tuples, which represent individual entries or instances. The columns of the table are defined as fields or attributes that describe the properties of the records.

This organization into tables is critical for database management systems (DBMS) as it facilitates efficient data retrieval, management, and manipulation through structured query languages like SQL. By using tables, relational databases ensure data integrity and enable complex queries, making data management more systematic and accessible.