SQL query and modification commands are represented in which of the following?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is (2):
Data Manipulation Language (DML) is the exact subset of Structured Query Language (SQL) that handles all operations on the actual data stored inside the database tables. The core purpose of DML is to manipulate the data records themselves, which directly includes two major tasks: **querying** and **modifying**. The fundamental DML commands for querying are primarily the **SELECT** statement, which retrieves data, and the modification commands are **INSERT** (to add new data), **UPDATE** (to change existing data), and **DELETE** (to remove data). Therefore, DML is the correct classification for all commands used for querying and modifying the content of the database.

The incorrect option is (1):
DDL, which stands for Data Definition Language, is concerned solely with the *structure* or *schema* of the database, not the data within it. DDL commands like CREATE, ALTER, and DROP are used to define, change, or remove database objects such as tables, indexes, and views. While crucial for setting up the database, DDL does not include the commands for querying or modifying the data rows that reside inside those tables, which is the specific function asked for in the question.

The incorrect option is (3):
HTML, or HyperText Markup Language, is entirely unrelated to database operations. It is a markup language used by web browsers to display the *content and structure of a web page*. It is a presentation technology, not a programming or query language for manipulating relational databases. HTML simply instructs the browser on how to visually lay out text and media; it cannot execute a SQL query or modification command.

The incorrect option is (4):
XML, or eXtensible Markup Language, is a data format designed to *store and transport* data in a structured, self-describing way. While XML data can be stored in and queried from a database, XML itself is a markup language focused on data structure and hierarchy. It does not provide the command verbs (like SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE) needed to issue queries or modification requests to a relational database system.