What happens to the data in a select query when it is executed?

When a select query is executed, it retrieves data from the database based on the specified criteria. This response reflects the fundamental purpose of a select query, which is to query a database and return a result set without altering the underlying data in any way. The output is usually displayed in a table format for users to review; however, the original data remains untouched within the database.

The select query functions solely as a way to view or extract information from the database, enabling users to analyze and utilize the data for decision-making or reporting. Since select queries do not involve any changes, such as deletion, modification, or archiving, this reinforces the understanding that their primary role is data retrieval.