Description: The SQL statement ‘EXPLAIN’ is a fundamental tool in the realm of databases, used to obtain detailed information about how a database management system executes a specific SQL query. By using ‘EXPLAIN’, developers and database administrators can analyze the execution plan that the database engine will generate for a given query. This includes details about index usage, the type of join that will be applied, the order in which tables will be processed, and an estimate of the number of rows that will be processed. This information is crucial for optimizing queries, improving performance, and ensuring that database operations are carried out in the most efficient manner possible. ‘EXPLAIN’ not only helps identify performance bottlenecks but also provides a clear view of how queries are interpreted and executed, allowing developers to adjust their query strategies and database design accordingly.
