Just an observation...

When working with MySQL tables, it seems that once you create a wpDataTable, making any subsequent changes to the query which the table is based on, results in a mess. For example, if you delete or rename columns in the query and then save the updated query, you end up with weird MySQL errors and/or jQuery errors on the page where the shortcode appears.

This has happened to me several times now. Both times, I was able to fix it by simply deleting the wpDataTable and recreating it. When I recreated it, I used the exact same query that had generated errors before and it worked fine, so this proves there was nothing wrong with the query. The problem is caused by changing the query after the wpDataTable has been created.

I'm quite familiar with MySQL and have used it for many years. This is not a MySQL issue and it's not a problem with my query, it's an issue with your plugin. When I make changes to the query AFTER creating a wpDataTable, I get jQuery errors and other strange results. For example, suppose I enter the following query:

SELECT column1, column2, column3 from mytable where column4 = %CURRENT_USER_ID%

After entering this query, I click the Save button. When I view the wpDataTable on the web page, everything works fine.

Now, I go back to the admin screen and change the query to this:

SELECT column1, column2 from mytable where column4 = %CURRENT_USER_ID%

It's the EXACT same query, except I removed one column. After clicking Save, I return to the web page and refresh it. Now it's a mess. The table doesn't render properly and when I view the console, I can see jQuery errors. It seems that editing the query for an EXISTING wpDataTable has some bug, which breaks the table.

The point is, I did not make any changes to the underlying table. I simply removed a column from the query.

However, even if I did change the structure of the table, why should it matter? When saving the wpDataTable, it should save it based on the current table structure and the query design. You shouldn't have to delete the entire wpDataTable and start over from scratch any time you make changes to your table or query.