SQL, pronounced 'sequel,' is a powerful language used to interact with databases. It's the standard language for relational database management systems (RDBMS) like MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, and SQL Server. Think of it as a set of instructions you give to the database to retrieve, insert, update, or delete data. SQL is crucial for any application that needs to store and retrieve information, from simple web applications to complex enterprise systems. Its structured nature allows for precise and efficient data manipulation. SQL's core strength lies in its ability to define and query data within a relational database model, where data is organized into tables with defined relationships.