What command is used to update records in a database?

The command used to update records in a database is typically structured as an "UPDATE" statement, often followed by "SET" to specify the new values and "WHERE" to define which records should be updated. This structure allows for precise modifications to existing records based on specific conditions.

For example, an SQL update command would look like this:

UPDATE table_name SET column1 = value1, column2 = value2 WHERE condition;

This syntax indicates that you want to change specified columns to new values only for the records that meet the provided condition. The clarity in the use of "SET" and "WHERE" ensures that only targeted records are altered, preventing unintended changes to other data.

The other commands listed serve different purposes: "DELETE" is used for removing records, "INSERT" is for adding new records to a database, and "ALTER" is generally used to change the structure of a database (like modifying table schemas), rather than the actual data within your tables. This context highlights why updating records specifically requires the combination seen in the chosen command.