SQL Server is a relational database; whereas a simple database may have ten tables, enterprise level one contain hundreds or thousands!

So why all the tables?

Well it mostly stems from one process called "Database Normalization."

If you would like to know more about how business object, such as employees, get "broken up" into one or more tables, then check out my guide Five Minute Guide to Database Normalization.

After reading this, you'll have a better understand of why the database you're using has so many darned tables, and why it seems you're always trying to put it back together via joins...

If you really want to dig into the details check my article on Database Normalization Explained in Simple English.