Tables are the fundamental database objects. It is here that your data is stored.
A table is arranged in rows and columns.
A table may be used, for instance, to store the names and associated phone numbers from your personal phone book. Each row will contain all the data for one entry in your phone book, and is called a record. Each column will contain one item of data for all entries in your phone book, and is called a field.
Since tables are the fundamental database objects, deciding what tables you need is always the first step in designing a database.
Tables are used to contain information and data that can be structured according to a similar format. Typical examples of tables are:
mailing lists
inventory lists
customer lists
product lists
medical records
league tables
For more information on tables, see Creating fields in a database.
See also: