What steps can be taken to ensure consistency in table naming conventions to avoid confusion in SQL queries?

In order to ensure consistency in table naming conventions to avoid confusion in SQL queries, one should establish clear guidelines for naming tables and stick to them consistently throughout the database. This includes using descriptive and meaningful names, avoiding special characters or spaces, and following a specific naming convention such as snake_case or camelCase.

// Example of consistent table naming conventions in SQL queries
$usersTable = "users";
$ordersTable = "orders";
$productsTable = "products";

// Sample SQL query using consistent table names
$sql = "SELECT * FROM $usersTable 
        JOIN $ordersTable ON $usersTable.id = $ordersTable.user_id 
        JOIN $productsTable ON $ordersTable.product_id = $productsTable.id";