Which of the following best describes database entities?

Database entities refer to the objects or things that data can be collected about, and they can encompass a wide range of items such as persons, locations, events, or any other concepts that are important to the dataset. The term "entity" in the context of databases signifies identifiable components that have distinct attributes and are represented within the database structure.

For example, in a database designed for a healthcare facility, entities could include patients, healthcare providers, medications, and treatments. Each of these entities can have various attributes; for instance, a patient entity might include attributes such as name, age, and medical history.

This definition of entities distinguishes them from other concepts that might relate to data but do not represent the entities themselves, such as symbols, abstract concepts without a direct example, or the characters that make up the data. Entities are fundamental in database design because they form the basis for structuring the relational model and defining how data interacts within the system.