Which SQL statement is utilized to retrieve data from a database?

The SQL statement used to retrieve data from a database is the SELECT statement. This command is fundamental in SQL, as it allows users to query the database and extract specific information from one or multiple tables. The SELECT statement can include various clauses such as WHERE, ORDER BY, and GROUP BY to refine the results further and obtain the desired data set.

On the other hand, the INSERT statement is used to add new records to a table, while the UPDATE statement modifies existing records, and the DELETE statement removes records from a table. These functions do not facilitate data retrieval, making them unsuitable for this specific purpose. The SELECT statement remains the primary tool for accessing and viewing data stored in a relational database.