Answer
A tuple is a row stored in a PostgreSQL table. Updates create new tuple versions while old ones become dead tuples until vacuumed.
Quick Answer
In PostgreSQL, a tuple is a row version in a table. Every UPDATE creates a new tuple (new row version) rather than modifying in place. Old tuples stay visible to concurrent transactions and are later cleaned up by VACUUM. Each tuple has system columns: xmin (transaction that created it), xmax (transaction that deleted it), ctid (physical location). Multiple tuple versions enable MVCC.
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SugharaIQ Editorial Team
Verified Answer
This answer has been peer-reviewed by industry experts holding senior engineering roles to ensure technical accuracy and relevance for modern interview standards.
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Source: SugharaIQ