What is the primary difference between DDL and DML in SQL?

The primary difference between Data Definition Language (DDL) and Data Manipulation Language (DML) pertains to their specific roles within SQL. DDL is responsible for defining and managing the structure of the database itself. This includes creating, altering, and deleting database schemas, tables, indexes, and other structures that organize and store data. Essentially, DDL sets the groundwork for how data is organized.

In contrast, DML deals with the actual manipulation of the data contained within those structures. This includes operations such as inserting, updating, deleting, and retrieving data from the database. DML operates on the data that has been defined by DDL, allowing users and applications to interact with the stored information effectively.

Understanding this distinction highlights how DDL establishes the framework within which DML operates, clarifying their complementary purposes in database management. The other options mischaracterize the functions of DDL and DML or suggest functionalities that do not align with their respective roles in SQL.