When using SQL, which command is used to extract data from a database?

The command used in SQL to extract data from a database is SELECT. This command allows users to specify which columns from which tables they want to retrieve, and it can include various clauses to filter, sort, and structure the output. For instance, one could use SELECT to retrieve all records from a table or only specific fields that meet certain conditions.

The term SELECT is fundamental to SQL as it directly addresses the retrieval of data, which is often the primary function when interacting with a database. By writing a SELECT statement, users can also join multiple tables, aggregate results, and apply distinct functions to their queries, making it a versatile tool for data manipulation and analysis.

In contrast, the other options are not standard SQL commands for data retrieval. EXTRACT is used for retrieving specific parts of a date or time, GET is not a SQL command and is often associated with REST APIs, while FETCH is used in combination with other commands to retrieve a specific number of records from a result set, but it is not a standalone command for extracting data like SELECT is.