Which command is generally used at the beginning of a SQL statement to define the action to be performed?

The most commonly used command at the beginning of a SQL statement to define the action to be performed is a command that specifies what data to retrieve from a database. The SELECT command is utilized to query the database, indicating the intention to fetch data from one or more tables. It allows users to specify which columns or rows of data they want to see, along with any conditions that must be met.

In contrast, the other commands serve specific purposes: CREATE is used to create new database objects such as tables, DELETE is used to remove records from a table, and UPDATE is intended for modifying existing records within a table. While all these commands signify actions that can be performed on a database, SELECT is distinctly focused on retrieving data and is therefore the command that typically initiates a SQL statement aimed at querying information.