SQL statements, though seemingly straightforward, are processed in a specific order. This order, while often implicit, is fundamental to understanding how your queries are evaluated. Knowing the execution order allows you to anticipate the steps the database takes, leading to more efficient query writing and a deeper understanding of how SQL works. For example, if you're selecting data from a table, the database first determines which rows to select, then applies any filters, and finally returns the results. This order is consistent across most SQL dialects, although minor variations might exist. A thorough understanding of this order is essential for optimizing queries and avoiding unexpected results. Incorrectly ordering clauses can lead to incorrect results or inefficient query execution. For instance, filtering data after sorting can be less efficient than filtering first, as the database might have to sort a larger dataset.