To what subset of SQL does the SELECT statement belong?

The SELECT statement belongs to the subset of SQL known as Data Query Language (DQL). DQL is specifically focused on the retrieval of data from a database, and the SELECT statement is the primary command used for this purpose. It enables users to specify exactly which data they want to return, including selecting specific columns, filtering rows based on conditions, and sorting the results.

This is distinguishable from other SQL subsets:

• Data Control Language (DCL) deals with permissions and access control, regulating who can perform what actions in the database.
• Data Manipulation Language (DML) focuses on the insertion, updating, and deletion of data within the tables.
• Data Definition Language (DDL) is responsible for defining and modifying the structure of database objects such as tables, schemas, and indexes.

Therefore, recognizing that the SELECT statement is a querying tool used to access and manipulate data is essential in understanding its classification within SQL.