Microsoft® SQL Server 2012 Unleashed

Summary

Tables are the key to a relational database system. When you create tables, you need to pay careful attention to choosing the proper data types to ensure efficient storage of data, adding appropriate constraints to maintain data integrity, and scripting the creation and modification of tables to ensure that they can be re-created, if necessary.

Good table design includes the creation of indexes on a table. Tables without indexes are generally inefficient and cause excessive use of resources on your database server. Chapter 21, “Creating and Managing Indexes,” covers indexes and their critical role in effective table design.