What does the LIKE operator do in SQL?

The LIKE operator in SQL is essential for pattern matching within string data. It allows users to search for specific patterns in a column's values, which makes it incredibly useful when dealing with text data where exact matches are not feasible or desired.

For example, if you want to find all entries in a database where a column contains a specific substring or starts with a particular character, the LIKE operator can be used along with wildcard characters, such as '%' (which represents zero or more characters) and '_' (which represents a single character). This flexibility in searching for patterns means that the LIKE operator serves as a powerful tool for querying data efficiently.

The other options involve different functions in SQL. Updating existing records pertains to using the UPDATE statement, creating new tables requires a CREATE TABLE statement, and sorting records relates to the ORDER BY clause. All these operations are distinct from what the LIKE operator achieves.