Database table

As explained in Building Web APIs with ASP.NET Core

A database table is a relational data structure consisting of rows and named columns that store records of a particular type.

A database table stores one type of record in named columns and rows. In a relational database, tables have a fixed schema: each table has a defined structure rather than a flexible collection of fields. A board-game API might use separate Users, Roles, BoardGames, and Comments tables. section 4.1.1

Separate tables still need a way to connect related records. A primary key uniquely identifies a record; another table can store that identifier as a reference. For example, a BoardGameID column in Comments can associate each comment with a particular board game. These references help form a structured database schema. section 4.1.1

This differs from a document-oriented NoSQL approach, where a board-game document might include its comments. A relational design keeps those record types in separate tables and connects them through identifiers. section 4.1.1

Figure 4.1 MyBGList database schema diagram for a table-oriented SQL database

Use the table-oriented board-game schema diagram to see how the record types are arranged as tables. section 4.1.1

A table is only part of a database schema, which also includes relationships, views, indexes, and constraints. An EF Core data model is different: it consists of C# classes used to interact with the database structure. Creating the MyBGList database in SQL Server Management Studio makes a Tables folder available; it does not, by itself, define the project’s tables. section 4.0 section 4.2.4

How Building Web APIs with ASP.NET Core covers it

How deep it goes

Defines fixed-schema tables and explains identifier-based relationships, but does not provide a worked table definition.

Examples

Illustrates Users, Roles, BoardGames, and Comments tables, including a BoardGameID column that associates comments with board games.

What it assumes

Introduces the table storage model without requiring prior knowledge of relational database structure.

What you can do after

Evaluate/understand how separate tables and identifier-based references differ from documents containing related information.

How it connects

Links tables to primary keys, database schemas, document databases, and EF Core data models.

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Related concepts

• primary keyhas part · A primary key is a designated column or attribute, or combination of them, that uniquely identifies each row or item in a table or data store.
• SQLused by · SQL is a standardized declarative language for defining, querying, and manipulating data and structures in relational database systems.
• DynamoDB itemhas part · A DynamoDB item is a record of attributes stored as a single entry in a DynamoDB table.
• structured dataincludes · Structured data is information organized according to an explicit schema or predictable fields, types, records, or relationships for consistent machine processing.
• tuplehas part · A tuple is a finite, ordered collection of elements treated as a single composite value or record.
• viewincludes · A view is an alternate representation or access interface for data derived from or backed by underlying storage without necessarily creating an independent copy.

This explainer was generated by Manning's knowledge graph from the text of Building Web APIs with ASP.NET Core. The section links point to the parts of the book it draws on.