What is the primary function of the SELECT statement in SQL?

The primary function of the SELECT statement in SQL is to retrieve data from a table. This command is fundamental to database operations, as it allows users to specify exactly which data they wish to view or analyze. By using various clauses, such as WHERE, ORDER BY, and JOIN, the SELECT statement can filter, sort, and combine data from different tables, thereby enabling complex queries and informative reporting.

For instance, a simple SELECT statement can fetch all records from a certain table, while more advanced usage can target specific columns, apply conditions, or group data for summarization. This versatility makes the SELECT statement a critical tool for anyone working with relational databases, as data retrieval is often the first step in data analysis, application development, or reporting tasks.