Which option is used to specify the data type of a column in a database table?

The correct choice is the data element. In ABAP and SAP database design, a data element acts as a bridge between the physical database layer and the logical representation of data. It defines the semantic meaning of the data in a column along with its data type, length, and other characteristics. By using a data element, developers can ensure that the columns in the database tables are defined consistently and with proper attributes, facilitating data integrity and clearer data modeling.

Data elements can be associated with domains, which define the technical details of the field (such as value range, data type, and length), but it is the data element itself that provides the descriptive and semantic aspect that ultimately defines column types in database tables. This is why data elements are crucial for maintaining clarity and consistency in how data is interpreted across the application.

The other options serve different purposes. Local types are used for defining variables and structures within ABAP programs, rather than database columns. Domains specify technical characteristics but do not contain the semantic description that a data element provides. Field symbols are used to create references to data objects at runtime, serving a different function unrelated to column definition.