This statement describes the type of query for each step. For most user queries, the value for query_type is SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE. If SHOWPLAN is turned on while other statements are issued, the query_type will reflect the statement issued.
The following examples show various outputs for different queries:
CREATE TABLE Mytab (col1 int)
STEP 1 The type of query is TABCREATE
INSERT Publishers VALUES ('9904', 'NewPubs', 'Seattle', 'WA', 'USA')
STEP 1 The type of query is INSERT The update mode is direct TO TABLE publishers