Best Practices for Naming Tables in MS SQL Server

Creating well-structured databases in MS SQL Server requires careful consideration of table naming conventions. A critical aspect is avoiding the use of reserved words or keywords. These system-defined terms are essential for SQL Server's functionality and cannot be directly used as table names without causing potential issues.

For instance, using a common word like "User" as a table name will result in a conflict. SQL Server Management Studio will typically highlight such names (often in pink), indicating a potential clash with a system keyword. This can lead to errors and make database management more complex.

To prevent these problems, always refer to the official Microsoft documentation for a complete list of reserved keywords (search for "Reserved Keywords (Transact-SQL)"). While you can technically use reserved words by enclosing them in square brackets ([]), this is strongly discouraged.

The recommended approach is to select unique and descriptive table names that are not reserved keywords. This ensures clarity, avoids conflicts, and contributes to a well-organized and maintainable database.