What does the Call Level Interface (CLI) provide?

The Call Level Interface (CLI) provides an interface that enables mainframe applications to communicate with Teradata databases. It is specifically designed to allow applications to send SQL commands to a Teradata database, manage connections, and handle the retrieval of results. This interface is crucial for integrating mainframe systems with Teradata databases, thus enabling organizations to leverage their existing applications for database operations without needing extensive modifications.

The focus of CLI on facilitating communication between applications and databases distinguishes it from other options. For instance, while data backup is critical for database management, it is not a function of the CLI. Similarly, a graphical interface for database management or methods for data visualization serve different purposes and do not pertain to the CLI's functionality of enabling programmatic access and interaction with the database. This makes the second option the correct choice, as it accurately reflects the primary role of the Call Level Interface.