TableName

Tablename is a placeholder term used in database design and SQL tutorials to represent the name of a database table. It is not a real object; authors substitute a concrete table name when illustrating queries, schemas, or data models. In examples, tablename stands in for any table such as employees, orders, or products.

In SQL statements, you reference a table by its name, for example: SELECT * FROM tablename;. The purpose is to demonstrate syntax without committing to a specific schema. Real-world schemas replace tablename with actual table names that reflect the data being stored.

Naming considerations apply when choosing a real table name. Use descriptive nouns and maintain consistent pluralization or singularization according to project conventions. Avoid spaces and keep the name concise. Be mindful of reserved keywords and case sensitivity, as quoting requirements vary by database engine (for instance, some engines require quotation marks or backticks if a name conflicts with a reserved word).

Tables can reside in schemas or namespaces, and may be qualified as schema.tablename to avoid ambiguity. This is common in systems with multiple schemas or in multi-tenant designs.

Examples of using a placeholder in statements include: SELECT id, name FROM tablename WHERE active = true; INSERT INTO tablename (name, value) VALUES ('Alice', 42); UPDATE tablename SET updated_at = CURRENT_TIMESTAMP WHERE id = 1.

Limitations: tablename is a stand-in and has no metadata, constraints, or data until replaced with a real table name in a concrete schema. See also: table, SQL identifier, reserved word, schema.