What is the function of the SELECT command in SQL?

The SELECT command in SQL is primarily used to retrieve information from a database. It allows users to specify which columns of data from which tables they wish to query, and it can also include conditions that filter the results based on specified criteria. This command is fundamental for data retrieval, enabling users to access and manipulate the information stored in databases effectively.

In practice, the SELECT statement can be customized with various clauses, such as WHERE for filtering records, ORDER BY for sorting results, and JOIN for combining data from multiple tables. This versatility makes it an essential tool for anyone working with relational databases, as it directly addresses the need to extract specific data from potentially large datasets.