SQL is a special-purpose programming language designed to manage data in relational database management systems (RDBMS). It allows users to define, manipulate, and control access to data in databases. SQL statements are divided into two main categories: DDL (Data Definition Language) statements are used to define database objects like tables, while DML (Data Manipulation Language) statements are used to query and manipulate data like SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE. SQL was developed in the 1970s by IBM researchers Donald D. Chamberlin and Raymond F. Boyce and was initially called SEQUEL.