Is it necessary to use # for creating temp tables in SQL server?

问题

Is it necessary to use # before creating a temporary table in SQL server?

Example:

SELECT column1, column2, someInt, someVarChar 
INTO ItemBack1 
FROM table2
WHERE table2.ID = 7

For ItemBack1 is it necessary to use the # symbol?

If not, then what is the use of # in creating temp tables?

回答1:

Yes. You need to prefix the table name with "#" (hash) to create temporary tables.

If you do NOT need the table later, go ahead & create it. Temporary Tables are very much like normal tables. However, it gets created in tempdb. Also, it is only accessible via the current session i.e. For EG: if another user tries to access the temp table created by you, he'll not be able to do so.

"##" (double-hash creates "Global" temp table that can be accessed by other sessions as well.

Refer the below link for the Basics of Temporary Tables: http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/42553/Quick-Overview-Temporary-Tables-in-SQL-Server-2005

If the content of your table is less than 5000 rows & does NOT contain data types such as nvarchar(MAX), varbinary(MAX), consider using Table Variables.

~~They are the fastest as they are just like any other variables which are stored in the RAM.~~ They are stored in tempdb as well, not in RAM.

DECLARE @ItemBack1 TABLE
(
 column1 int,
 column2 int,
 someInt int,
 someVarChar nvarchar(50)
);

INSERT INTO @ItemBack1
SELECT column1, 
       column2, 
       someInt, 
       someVarChar 
  FROM table2
 WHERE table2.ID = 7;

More Info on Table Variables: http://odetocode.com/articles/365.aspx