What term is used for tables created temporarily as a result of data manipulation operations?

The term "virtual tables" refers to tables that do not exist in physical form in the database but are generated dynamically as a result of data manipulation operations. They are often created through queries, where the output is treated as a table for the purpose of further operations. This concept commonly applies to views in database systems, where a view acts as a virtual table showing data derived from one or more tables.

In contrast, temporary tables and derived tables have distinct characteristics. Temporary tables exist physically and are often stored in a temporary database area, allowing them to persist for the duration of a session or transaction. Derived tables, on the other hand, are created in the context of a single SQL statement and exist only for the duration of that statement's execution, but they are typically not referred to as "tables" in casual discussion. Dynamic tables, while sometimes used in various contexts, are not a standard term recognized in database design for the scenario described in the question.

Thus, the identification of "virtual tables" captures the essence of tables resulting from data manipulation that serve a temporary role without permanent storage in the database.