What does the sql_always_where parameter do in Looker?

The sql_always_where parameter is utilized in Looker to define static conditions that are always included in the SQL WHERE clause for every query that gets generated for a specific model. By implementing this parameter, developers can enforce certain filtering criteria that must always be applied, regardless of the specific queries being run by users.

This is particularly useful for scenarios where you want to ensure data security or apply a consistent filter across all analyses, such as limiting results to a specific date range, user segment, or geographical area.

The other options do not accurately describe the function of sql_always_where. It doesn’t restrict queries to specific fields or allow users to modify SQL queries directly; instead, it ensures that the same filter is applied automatically. Also, while it might incidentally enhance query performance by reducing the amount of data returned, performance enhancement is not its primary purpose. The core feature of sql_always_where is to set static conditions in the WHERE clause for all related queries.