Create tables

When a database is first created, the only tables in the database are the system tables, which hold the database schema. You can use SQL statements in Interactive SQL or Sybase Central to create new tables to hold your data.

There are two types of tables that you can create:

  • Base table   A table that holds persistent data. The table and its data continue to exist until you explicitly delete the data or drop the table. It is called a base table to distinguish it from temporary tables and views.

  • Temporary table   Data in a temporary table is held for a single connection only. Global temporary table definitions (but not data) are kept in the database until dropped. Local temporary table definitions and data exist for the duration of a single connection only. See Working with temporary tables.

Tables consist of rows and columns. Each column carries a particular kind of information, such as a phone number or a name, while each row specifies a particular entry.

To create a table (Sybase Central)

  1. Connect to the database as a user with DBA authority.

  2. In the left pane, right-click Tables and choose New » Table.

  3. Follow the instructions in the Create Table Wizard.

  4. In the right pane, click the Columns tab and configure your table.

  5. Choose File » Save.

To create a table (SQL)

  1. Connect to the database as a user with DBA authority.

  2. Execute a CREATE TABLE statement.

Example

The following statement creates a new table to describe qualifications of employees within a company. The table has columns to hold an identifying number, a name, and a type (technical or administrative) for each skill. 

CREATE TABLE Skills (
   SkillID INTEGER NOT NULL,
   SkillName CHAR( 20 ) NOT NULL,
   SkillType CHAR( 20 ) NOT NULL
);

See CREATE TABLE statement.

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