categories_id int not_null auto_increment comment(Primary key - unique identifier for each category)
categories_image varchar(255) comment(Path to category image file)
parent_id int unsigned default(0) not_null comment(FK to categories table - parent category ID for hierarchical structure, 0 for root categories)
sort_order int(3) comment(Display order for sorting categories)
date_added datetime comment(Timestamp when category was created)
last_modified datetime comment(Timestamp of last modification)
virtual_categories tinyint(1) default(0) not_null comment(Flag indicating if category is virtual - 0: physical, 1: virtual)
status tinyint(1) default(1) not_null comment(Category status - 0: inactive, 1: active)
customers_group_id int(11) default(99) not_null comment(FK to customers_groups table - customer group with access to this category, 99: all groups)

--
primary categories_id
idx_categories_parent_id parent_id
idx_categories_status_virtual virtual_categories
idx_customers_group_id customers_group_id

##
engine innodb
character_set utf8mb4
collate utf8mb4_unicode_ci
comment Product categories with hierarchical structure and access control