Databases & Data Storage

Table

Definition

In a relational database, a table is a collection of related data held in a structured format within a database. It consists of columns and rows.

Why It Matters

Tables are the fundamental organizational structure in a relational database. They provide a simple and intuitive way to represent and store structured data.

Contextual Example

A `Users` table in a database would have columns like `UserID`, `FirstName`, `LastName`, and `Email`. Each row in the table would represent a single, unique user.

Common Misunderstandings

  • A table is analogous to a spreadsheet, but with much stricter rules about the data types allowed in each column.
  • The structure of a table, including its columns and their data types, is called its "schema".

Related Terms

Last Updated: December 17, 2025