What does the SQL # symbol mean and how is it used

Question

Can someone please explain to me what the # symbol means in MS SQL Code.

I've tried Googling it, and even searching on StackOverflow, but can't seem to find the answer.

I feel like an idiot - having one of "those" days. Please help.

Answer 1

They normally prefix temporary tables.

From the docs....

Prefix local temporary table names with single number sign (#table_name), and prefix global temporary table names with a double number sign (##table_name).

Answer 2

#TEMPTABLE. Its actually a type of a temporary table that is scoped for that session.

Answer 3

You could be seeing the # in the usage of a temporary table

SELECT
  *
FROM #myTempTable

Answer 4

The pound sign # is used to prefix temporary tables and procedures. A single instance (#) refers to a temporary object that lives/dies with the current session while a double instance (##) is a global object.

Answer 5

The other answers are correct if you're dealing with SQL Server, and it's clear that you are. But since the question title just says SQL, I should mention that there are some forms of SQL such as MySQL where a pound sign is used as an alternative commenting symbol.

#This is a comment.

https://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.7/en/comments.html