What is the function of the SELECT statement in SQL?

The SELECT statement in SQL is used to retrieve data from a database.

In more detail, the SELECT statement is a fundamental SQL command that allows you to fetch data from a database. It is the primary command used when you want to get information from specific tables within the database. The data retrieved can be manipulated and displayed in various ways according to the needs of the user.

The SELECT statement is often used in conjunction with other SQL commands to refine the data retrieval process. For instance, it can be combined with the WHERE clause to filter the data based on certain conditions. It can also be used with the ORDER BY clause to sort the data in a specific order.

The basic syntax of the SELECT statement is as follows: SELECT column1, column2, ... FROM table_name. Here, column1, column2, etc. are the fields of the table from which you want to fetch the data. If you want to select all columns, you can use the * symbol instead of specifying each column name.

The SELECT statement can also be used to perform calculations on the data, group similar data together, or combine data from multiple tables. This is achieved through the use of functions, GROUP BY clause, and JOIN clause respectively.

In summary, the SELECT statement is a powerful tool in SQL that allows you to retrieve and manipulate data from a database. It forms the basis of most data retrieval operations and is a fundamental command that every SQL user should be familiar with.