A table is the core structure used in databases to organize and store information of the same type. Each row represents a record, and each column represents a field (data attribute). For example, in a "Customer" table, the columns may include attributes like Customer Name, Phone Number, Email Address, etc. On the other hand, the rows will include customer information such as "John Smith," "1112229000," and "johnsmith@gmail.com."
Tables provide structure, consistency, and efficiency in managing data. They allow data relationships to be built, automated workflows, and organized storage for large datasets.
Database tables are usually relational and can link to other tables, which enables complex data links and workflows. On the other hand, spreadsheets are usually limited and mostly manual. Moreover, unlike database tables which are built for large volumes of data, spreadsheets can become slow when faced with large amounts of information.
To maintain organization and avoid mixups, it is best to keep one table focused on a single type of data. For example, keep inventory information, customer information, and sales information should be kept on separate tables. Use meaningful column names to enforce clarity and avoid confusion. Set primary keys for unique identification, and avoid redundancy by using building data relationships with other tables.
