What is meant by 'sort' in database management?

In database management, 'sort' refers to the process of organizing data based on specified criteria. This means that data can be arranged in a particular order, such as alphabetical order, numerical order, or by any other field that is relevant to the data being managed. Sorting is essential for enhancing data retrieval, enabling users to quickly find and analyze the information they need.

For instance, if a database contains a list of customers, sorting by last name allows for easy access to information related to specific individuals or enables better management of customer interactions. Sorting can apply to single fields or multiple fields, providing flexibility depending on the query requirements. This is critical in database querying and reporting scenarios, where having data in a specific order often leads to better insights and more efficient data handling.