What does an inner join transformation do?

An inner join transformation specifically focuses on combining datasets by retaining only those rows that have matching values in both datasets being joined. This means that if a row in the first dataset does not have a corresponding match in the second dataset, it will not be included in the final result set. This approach is commonly used in relational databases to ensure that analyses are conducted on relevant data points that share a common key or identifier, making it particularly useful for identifying relationships or interactions between two datasets.

Given this understanding, it becomes clear that this behavior of preserving only rows with matches in both datasets is what distinguishes the inner join transformation within data operations.