Database Tables

In the previous lesson, we saw that a table provides a good technique of organizing a list of items and to store the list in a database file. To create a table, you can type the expression CREATE TABLE followed by the name of the table. The syntax starts with:

CREATE TABLE Name;

The CREATE and TABLE keywords must be used to let the SQL interpreter know that you want to create a table. The Name factor specifies the name of the new table. The Name can use the rules and suggestions we reviewed for the database objects.

In reality, a table needs at least one column. The formula to create a column is:

CREATE TABLE Employees(ColumnName DataType)

A column is specified with a name and a data type. The name can follow the rules and suggestions we reviewed for the tables. In the next lesson, we will go through the details of creating a table and its columns.

Practical Learning: Creating a Table

1. Start your SQL environment
2. To create a new database, execute the following statement:
    

   CREATE DATABASE MVA1;

3. To make the new database the default, execute the following statement:
    

   USE MVA1;

4. To create a new table, execute the following statement:
    

   CREATE TABLE Employees(EmployeeName varchar(40));

We learned the basic techniques of creating a table but we created only one table. Many databases use more than one table. There is primarily no relationship between two tables of the same database. You can create the tables as you see fit and use them as you wish, in future lessons, we will learn how to "connect" tables that belong to the same database so that their information can be shared.

Practical Learning: Adding Tables

1. To create another table in the same MVA1 database, execute the following statement:
     

   CREATE TABLE Drivers(Address varchar(50));

2. To create another table, type and execute the following statement:
    

   CREATE TABLE IDCardHolders(DateIssued varchar(40));