Final answer:
In Oracle 12c, table names must start with a letter, be up to 30 characters, contain only alphanumeric characters and certain special characters, not be Oracle reserved words, be unique within a schema, and observe case insensitivity. Good practices include using consistent uppercase letters and underscores instead of spaces.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rules for Oracle 12c Table Names
When creating table names in Oracle 12c, certain rules must be followed to ensure the database management system properly recognizes and handles the tables. Firstly, a table name must begin with a letter and can be up to 30 characters in length. It can include only alphanumeric characters and the special characters '$', '#', and '_'. However, the table name cannot be solely composed of Oracle reserved words. It's also important to ensure that table names are unique within a schema and are not the same as any other object in the schema, like a view, sequence, or synonym.
Additionally, while Oracle 12c is not case-sensitive for table names, it is a good practice to use consistent naming conventions, such as all uppercase letters, for readability and to avoid confusion. Underscores can be used to separate words instead of spaces, for instance, 'EMPLOYEE_DETAILS' is an acceptable table name. It's also advisable not to use overly long or complex names, to keep the database schema clean and comprehensible.
Maintaining a clear and structured naming convention is crucial for the organization of the database, and it facilitates better maintenance and less confusion for anyone who needs to work with or manage the database tables.