My client is using GoDaddy managed wordpress. I called them to ask whether my localhost table prefix of abc_ would be a conflict with their prefix of xyz_ and was told no, just change my wp-config file.
Following their own instructions at http://support.godaddy.com/help/article/6117 I imported my localhost-developed database into theirs. Everything seemed fine and I continued, finishing the site, adding 40 posts and more. Then I started optimizing and discovered that I have twelve duplicate tables, i.e. my 'abc_posts' and their 'xyz_posts'.
Information is in both tables: my abc_'etc' and their 'xyz_commentmeta, xyz_comments, xyz_links, xyz_options, xyz_postmeta, xyz_posts, xyz_quotescollection, xyz_terms, xyz_term_relationships, xyz_term_taxonomy, xyz_usermeta, xyz_users'.
After telling me for three days that they would have their advanced hosting team fix the duplication, at the 71st hour I was told it was fine to leave as is. Except that Varnish apparently isn't working--is it tied to their xyz_ prefix?--and I don't like the idea of loose duplicate tables. And the fact that the site is sitting on a managed system but apparently not taking advantage of the so-called benefits.
They don't seem to have a community support forum and the manager was quite rude that this was not their problem though following their instructions gives exactly the duplicate tables I have.
Does this need to be fixed, and how would I do it? I've found articles describing how to change the prefix but not when tables already exist. I'd have to merge then change them. It seems very convoluted. Thanks so much!