What does SQL stand for and what is its primary purpose?

SQL stands for Structured Query Language, and its primary purpose is to manage and manipulate relational databases. This means that SQL is designed to enable users to interact with a database by performing various operations, such as querying data to retrieve specific information, updating existing records, inserting new data, and deleting data that is no longer needed.

Relational databases organize data into tables that can be linked or related based on common fields, and SQL provides the necessary commands to access and manipulate these tables efficiently. The structured nature of SQL allows it to perform complex queries that can join multiple tables, filter records based on conditions, and aggregate data, making it a powerful tool in database management.

Understanding the significance of SQL is crucial for anyone working with structured data, as it serves as the standard language for interacting with relational database management systems.