Which SQL clause is used to specify the columns to retrieve in a query?OptionsSELECTWHERECOLUMNFROM

Break Down the Problem

1. Identify the purpose of the SQL query.
2. Determine the function of each option given.

Relevant Concepts

1. SELECT Clause: Used to specify which columns to retrieve in an SQL query.
2. WHERE Clause: Used to filter records based on specific conditions.
3. COLUMN: Not a standard SQL clause; usually refers to fields in a table.
4. FROM Clause: Specifies the table from which to retrieve the data.

Analysis and Detail

1. The SELECT clause is essential for any SQL query that retrieves data, allowing the user to define exactly which columns from a table should be included in the result set.
2. Other clauses like WHERE and FROM play different roles in SQL queries; WHERE filters the results, and FROM specifies the source of the data.

Verify and Summarize

By analyzing the roles of each clause, it is clear that the SELECT clause is specifically designed for column selection in SQL queries.

Final Answer

The SQL clause used to specify the columns to retrieve in a query is SELECT.