What is a temporary table?

A temporary table is a specific type of database table that is designed to exist only for the duration of a session or a specific transaction. This means that once the session or transaction is complete, the temporary table is automatically deleted, and the data stored within it is no longer accessible.

This functionality is particularly useful in scenarios where you need to perform intermediate calculations or manipulations without cluttering the database with excess permanent data. Using temporary tables can enhance performance because they can reduce the overall load on the database by minimizing the amount of data that needs to be managed long-term.

The other choices describe concepts that do not accurately represent the nature of a temporary table. For instance, permanent data storage implies longevity, which contradicts the temporary aspect. Archiving data also suggests a long-term storage solution rather than the transient nature of temporary tables. Lastly, tracking user permissions involves a different function entirely, focusing on access control rather than temporary data manipulation or storage.