When executing a query that specifies column order, which order will the columns appear in the output?

The correct answer indicates that when executing a query that specifies column order, the columns will appear in the output exactly as specified in the query. In this case, if the query explicitly lists Last_Name first and then First_Name, the output will reflect that order: Last_Name followed by First_Name.

The SQL language typically allows users to specify the order of columns directly in the SELECT statement. Therefore, even if the data might otherwise appear in a different order, the output columns will conform to the arrangement given by the query. This means that the fields in the output will not be rearranged based on alphabetical order or the original order of the table but will follow the exact sequence laid out in the query.

This principle highlights the importance of understanding how to control output formatting in SQL, especially when dealing with multiple fields where the order may impact the readability or usability of the data.