Items

An item is a distinct unit or object within a collection that can be identified, counted, described, or transferred. The term is broadly used across disciplines to refer to components of a larger whole.

In retail and inventory, items are tracked with identifiers such as SKUs and barcodes; catalogs list items with attributes like name, price, category, and stock level. Inventory management systems monitor item flow, pricing, and replenishment.

In data processing, an item can be an element within a list, array, or table row; in databases, an item may refer to a record or field depending on context. Items commonly have attributes and keys to distinguish them.

In surveys and assessments, an item is a question or statement designed to elicit a response; test items are validated for reliability and validity; responses are scored.

In software and games, items include virtual goods, equipment, or power-ups; they have properties, such as name, value, effects, and rarity; item generation and inventories are central to gameplay.

Other uses include documentation and law, where items denote discrete provisions or entries in a list; in manufacturing, a bill of materials lists items required to produce a product.