What is a key characteristic of improperly written SQL compared to improperly written HTML?

The key characteristic of improperly written SQL is that it throws error messages. When SQL queries are not constructed correctly, the database management system typically provides feedback in the form of error messages that indicate what the problem is. This feedback allows developers or database administrators to identify and correct issues within their SQL statements.

In contrast, improperly written HTML may not always generate visible feedback. Browsers can often render HTML even if it contains certain errors, which may lead to unexpected results without providing specific error messages for debugging. Therefore, the ability of SQL to generate error messages when something is wrong is a crucial characteristic that aids developers in troubleshooting and ensures that they can identify issues in their queries efficiently.