Final answer:
Option b. Data analysts select SQL because it is a widely recognized standard, can manage large volumes of data, and allows for interaction with various database programs. SQL's capability to retrieve data from multiple sources effectively makes it a fundamental tool in data analysis. While SQL itself doesn't track changes in a team, its relevance and functionality are key reasons for its adoption.
Step-by-step explanation:
Data analysts choose to work with SQL for several reasons. SQL is a well-known standard in the professional community, which helps ensure that professionals have a common skill set when working with databases. Moreover, SQL can handle huge amounts of data, making it an excellent tool for analyzing and managing large datasets that are common in today's digital era. Additionally, SQL is designed to interact with database programs and can pull information from different database sources, allowing analysts to access and consolidate data from various databases efficiently.
While SQL does not inherently track changes across a team (this is more commonly managed by version control systems like Git), its widespread use and functionality make it a cornerstone in data analysis. The ability to properly understand and interpret information is essential in the workforce, and SQL plays a critical role in achieving this. Learning programs similar to SQL, like spreadsheet programs used by geoscientists, provides transferable skills that are highly beneficial in many professional contexts.