Auto-increment columns are a crucial feature in SQL databases. They automatically generate unique integer values for each new row inserted into a table. This eliminates the need for manually assigning unique identifiers, which can be prone to errors and inconsistencies. Instead of manually entering a value for a column, the database automatically assigns the next available number. This is particularly useful for creating primary keys, which are essential for uniquely identifying each row in a table. Auto-increment columns are a powerful tool for maintaining data integrity and ensuring that each record in a table has a unique identifier. They are commonly used in applications where you need to track records sequentially, such as order numbers, invoice numbers, or user IDs. The specific syntax for creating auto-increment columns varies slightly depending on the database system (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server).