How to Verify Table Existence in SQL Server?

Data and Databases
1

What is the optimal SQL Server method to check if a table exists? Comparing two methods: one queries sys.tables while the other uses the OBJECT_ID function.

-- Method 1:
IF EXISTS (SELECT TOP 1 * FROM sys.tables WHERE name = 'tableSample')
  PRINT 'Table found';
ELSE
  PRINT 'Table missing';

-- Method 2:
DECLARE @tblID INT = OBJECT_ID('tableSample', 'U');
IF @tblID IS NOT NULL
  PRINT 'Table exists';
ELSE
  PRINT 'No such table';
2

i lean towards using object_id coz it’s shorter and more direct. sys.tables works okay but overall, object_id makes things a bit snappier in my experience.