What is the main difference between a Join and a Union in data operations?

The correct choice highlights an essential aspect of how Joins and Unions function in data operations. Joins are utilized to combine data from two or more tables based on a related column, effectively adding new columns to the resulting dataset. This means that you're merging information from the tables side by side, enriching the dataset with additional attributes from the related tables.

On the other hand, Unions are designed to combine the results of two or more queries by stacking the data vertically, thereby adding new rows. In a Union operation, all datasets must have the same number of columns and compatible data types, but the focus here is on accumulating records rather than enhancing the existing attributes.

This distinction is crucial for database management and data manipulation because it affects how datasets are structured and analyzed. Understanding these fundamental differences allows for more efficient queries and better data organization when working with databases.