Many people ask: “Where are temporary tables stored in SQL Server?” and that’s a very good question.
There are many cases where we need to create temporary tables in SQL Server and for various reasons.
Such reasons may include:
Breaking the logic of a large and complex SQL Statement in smaller portions of code.
Increase the performance of a SQL query, etc.
Types of Temporary Tables in SQL Server
But what types of temporary tables does SQL Server provide and what is the meaning of each type? Last but not least, where are temporary tables stored and how can we get schema information about them?
There are two types of temporary tables:
Local temporary tables:
Only available to the current connection to the database for the current login
They are dropped when the connection is closed
Global temporary tables:
Available to any connection upon their creation
They are dropped when the last connection using them is closed
Code Example – Local Temporary Table
CREATE TABLE #table_name (
column_name [DATATYPE]);
GO
Code Example – Global Temporary Table
CREATE TABLE ##table_name (
column_name [DATATYPE]);
GO
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So, consider as an example that you have created the following temporary table:
CREATE TABLE #temp_table (
id INT,
name VARCHAR(50) );
GO
Then let’s say you want to find schema information regarding the above table. Where can you find this information in SQL Server?
The answer is that temporary tables (local and global) are stored in the tempDB database.
So, if you want to find schema information for the temporary table named temp_table you can use the following queries:
--Query 1(a): Get the exact name of the temporary table you are looking for
DECLARE @table_name AS VARCHAR(300)
SET @table_name = (SELECT TOP 1 [name]
FROM tempdb..sysobjects
WHERE name LIKE '#temp_table%');
GO
Explanation: When you declare a temporary table, SQL Sever adds some additional characters on its name in order to provide a unique system name for it and then it stores it in tempDB in the sysobjects table.
Even though you can query the temporary table with its logical name, internally, SQL Server knows it with the exact name. To this end, you need to execute the above query for finding the exact name of the temporary table.
--Query 1(b): Get column information for the temporary table
-- by using the sp_columns stored procedure
EXEC tempdb..sp_columns @table_name;
GO
Explanation: The sp_columnsstored procedure returns column information for the specified tables or views that can be queried in the current environment.
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Artemakis Artemiou is a Senior SQL Server Architect, Author, a 9 Times Microsoft Data Platform MVP (2009-2018) and a Udemy Instructor. He has over 15 years of experience in the IT industry in various roles. Artemakis is the founder of SQLNetHub and TechHowTos.com. Artemakis is the creator of the well-known software tools Snippets Generator and DBA Security Advisor. Also, he is the author of many eBooks on SQL Server. Artemakis currently serves as the President of the Cyprus .NET User Group (CDNUG) and the International .NET Association Country Leader for Cyprus (INETA). Moreover, Artemakis teaches on Udemy, you can check his courses here.
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