Description: Predicate Pushdown is a SQL query optimization technique that focuses on improving data processing efficiency. Its main goal is to move filtering conditions, known as predicates, closer to the data source, allowing for a reduction in the amount of data that needs to be processed in later stages of the query. By applying this technique, the volume of data transferred and processed is minimized, which can lead to significantly improved performance, especially in large databases. This optimization occurs during the query planning phase, where the query optimizer evaluates different strategies for executing the query more efficiently. Predicate pushdown can be applied to various operations, such as selections and joins, and is particularly useful in environments handling large volumes of data. By reducing the workload on the system, it not only improves query response times but also optimizes server resource usage, which is crucial in database management systems. In summary, predicate pushdown is a fundamental technique in SQL query optimization that contributes to more efficient and faster data processing.