What term is used to describe a person, place, object, event, or concept about which data are maintained?

The term used to describe a person, place, object, event, or concept about which data are maintained is referred to as an entity. In database terminology, an entity represents a distinct item that can be identified and described by its attributes. For instance, in a customer database, a customer would be considered an entity, as data is collected and maintained regarding that specific individual.

Entities play a crucial role in database design and are foundational to understanding how databases are structured. They serve as the primary components that define what kind of data will be stored and manipulated within the system.

Attributes are characteristics or properties of an entity, providing the details that describe it, such as a customer's name, address, and phone number. Instances refer to specific occurrences of an entity, like a particular customer record. Crow's foot is a notation used in entity-relationship diagrams to illustrate the relationships between different entities.