Which SQL clause specifies the conditions that must be met for data to be returned?

The clause that specifies the conditions that must be met for data to be returned is the WHERE clause. This clause is used in SQL statements to filter records and determine which rows should be included in the output of a query based on specified criteria. By using the WHERE clause, you can set conditions that the data must satisfy, such as comparing values or checking for specific attributes. If a row does not meet the criteria defined in the WHERE clause, it will not appear in the query results.

For example, if you want to retrieve information about employees whose salary is greater than a certain amount, you would use the WHERE clause to define that specific condition, ensuring only the rows that meet this criterion are selected. This ability to filter data is crucial for efficient data retrieval and analysis in databases.