running test queries using temporary tables

[sfullman]

there is a very simple-to-understand link here:

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview/id/730396.html

which epxlains the use of temporary tables as tests of the real table. My only concern is that I need to run tests on tables containing over 7 million records perhaps, and it scares me to make a copy of that table as a temporary table.

Can someone advise me on the repercussions of making a temporary table for testing off of a table that large in the first place? Thanks!

[dagon]

I would create a new db called 'test' and copy the tables myself. i think it would be more accurate. you could have a configuration setting to make it easy to change from using the 'live' vs the 'test' data.

[bradgrafelman]

What type of "tests" ? Is this question a duplicate of this thread?