SQL Temp Table

Galaxy Glossary

What are temporary tables in SQL, and how are they used?

Temporary tables in SQL are tables that exist only for the duration of a single SQL session. They are useful for storing intermediate results or data needed for a specific task. They are automatically dropped when the session ends. They are distinct from permanent tables.
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Description

Temporary tables are a powerful tool in SQL for holding data temporarily. They are ideal for storing intermediate results of complex queries or for performing operations that require data to be available only within a specific session. Unlike permanent tables, temporary tables are not stored in the database permanently. They are created and used within a single session and are automatically dropped when the session ends. This means you don't need to explicitly delete them, saving you time and effort. Temporary tables can be a significant performance boost when dealing with large datasets, as they can avoid redundant data retrieval from permanent tables. They are also useful for testing and prototyping queries without affecting the permanent database structure.

Why SQL Temp Table is important

Temporary tables are crucial for efficient data manipulation within a single SQL session. They allow for quick storage and retrieval of intermediate results, improving query performance and reducing the need for repeated data retrieval from permanent tables. They also help in testing and prototyping queries without impacting the integrity of the permanent database.

Example Usage


-- Creating a table with a string column
CREATE TABLE Customers (
    CustomerID INT PRIMARY KEY,
    CustomerName VARCHAR(50),
    City VARCHAR(25)
);

-- Inserting data into the table
INSERT INTO Customers (CustomerID, CustomerName, City)
VALUES
(1, 'John Doe', 'New York'),
(2, 'Jane Smith', 'Los Angeles'),
(3, 'David Lee', 'Chicago');

-- Retrieving data with a string filter
SELECT CustomerName, City
FROM Customers
WHERE City = 'New York';

-- Concatenating strings
SELECT CustomerName || ' lives in ' || City AS CustomerInfo
FROM Customers;

-- Finding strings containing a specific substring
SELECT CustomerName
FROM Customers
WHERE CustomerName LIKE '%Smith%';

Common Mistakes

Want to learn about other SQL terms?

With Cte In SQL

Common Table Expressions (CTEs) are temporary, named result sets defined within a single SQL statement. They enhance query readability and reusability by breaking down complex queries into smaller, manageable parts.

Where Vs Having SQL

WHERE and HAVING are both used for filtering data in SQL, but they operate on different levels. WHERE filters rows before any aggregation, while HAVING filters groups after aggregation.

Windows Functions In SQL

Window functions in SQL perform calculations over a set of rows related to the current row, unlike aggregate functions which summarize data across all rows. They are powerful tools for analyzing data within a specific context.
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