3.1.3. Common Database Objects

💡 First Principle: Relational databases use specific object types to organize data, optimize access, and provide abstraction layers for users and applications. Each object type serves a distinct purpose in the database ecosystem.

• Tables: The primary storage structures containing rows and columns. Each row is a unique record, and each column is a specific attribute with a data type.
• Views: Virtual tables based on the result set of a SQL query. They don't store data themselves but provide a way to look at data from one or more tables, often used for security or simplifying complex queries.
• Indexes: Structures used to speed up retrieval of data. Think of it like the index at the back of a book; it allows the database engine to find rows without scanning the entire table.
• Stored Procedures: Precompiled collections of SQL statements stored in the database. They enable code reuse, security (granting access to logic without raw data), and reduced network traffic.