Creating tables (permanent, temporary, transient) in Snowflake - Visual Walkthrough

Process Flow - Creating tables (permanent, temporary, transient)

Start

↓

Choose Table Type

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Permanent

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Define Schema & Options

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Execute CREATE TABLE

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Table Created with chosen type

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End

You start by choosing the table type, define its structure, then run the create command to make the table with that type.

Execution Sample

Snowflake

CREATE TABLE perm_table (id INT, name STRING);
CREATE TEMPORARY TABLE temp_table (id INT, name STRING);
CREATE TRANSIENT TABLE trans_table (id INT, name STRING);

Creates three tables: permanent, temporary, and transient with same columns.

Process Table

Step	Command	Table Type	Action	Result
1	CREATE TABLE perm_table (id INT, name STRING);	Permanent	Create permanent table	perm_table created, stored permanently
2	CREATE TEMPORARY TABLE temp_table (id INT, name STRING);	Temporary	Create temporary table	temp_table created, exists only in session
3	CREATE TRANSIENT TABLE trans_table (id INT, name STRING);	Transient	Create transient table	trans_table created, no fail-safe retention
4	Session ends	Temporary	Temporary tables dropped	temp_table removed automatically
5	Data retention check	Permanent	Permanent and transient tables remain	perm_table and trans_table still exist

💡 Temporary table removed after session ends; permanent and transient tables persist.

Status Tracker

Table Name	Before Creation	After Creation	After Session End
perm_table	does not exist	exists permanently	still exists
temp_table	does not exist	exists temporarily	does not exist
trans_table	does not exist	exists transiently	still exists

Key Moments - 3 Insights

Why does the temporary table disappear after the session ends?

Because temporary tables are designed to exist only during the session, as shown in execution_table row 4 where the session ends and the temporary table is dropped automatically.

What is the difference between permanent and transient tables in terms of data retention?

Permanent tables have full data retention and fail-safe, while transient tables do not have fail-safe but still persist after session ends, as seen in execution_table rows 3 and 5.

Can you access a temporary table from another session?

No, temporary tables are session-scoped and cannot be accessed outside the session they were created in, as shown by their removal after session ends in execution_table row 4.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution table, what happens to temp_table after the session ends?

A It remains available permanently

B It is automatically dropped

C It becomes a permanent table

D It is converted to a transient table

💡 Hint

Check execution_table row 4 where session ends and temp_table is removed.

According to variable_tracker, which table exists after the session ends?

A perm_table and trans_table

B temp_table only

C perm_table only

D trans_table only

💡 Hint

Look at variable_tracker columns 'After Session End' for all tables.

If you want a table that persists but does not have fail-safe, which type should you create?

A Permanent table

B Temporary table

C Transient table

D External table

💡 Hint

Refer to execution_table rows 3 and 5 about transient table properties.

Concept Snapshot

CREATE TABLE creates a permanent table stored permanently.
CREATE TEMPORARY TABLE creates a session-only table dropped after session ends.
CREATE TRANSIENT TABLE creates a persistent table without fail-safe.
Choose table type based on data retention needs.
Temporary tables are session-scoped; permanent and transient persist beyond session.

Full Transcript

This visual execution shows how Snowflake creates three types of tables: permanent, temporary, and transient. First, you choose the table type, then define columns, and run the create command. Permanent tables stay forever until dropped. Temporary tables exist only during the session and are removed automatically when the session ends. Transient tables persist like permanent tables but do not have fail-safe data retention. The execution table traces each step, showing creation and what happens after the session ends. The variable tracker shows the existence of each table before creation, after creation, and after session ends. Key moments clarify why temporary tables disappear and the difference between permanent and transient tables. The quiz tests understanding of table lifetimes and retention. This helps beginners see how table types behave in Snowflake practically.