screw skro͞o/ noun 1. a short, slender, sharp-pointed metal pin with a raised helical thread running around it and a slotted head, used to join things together by being rotated so that it pierces wood or other material and is held tightly in place.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screw

Star Drive Deck Screws

This section is intended to cover Star Drive Deck Screws

This area is weak as I fail to find a good clear written explanation of all the benefits of this fastener for general wood construction. When I originally educated myself I saw an engineering development video on them. I can no longer locate it. In short - they are designed to be more serviceable as a faster but have lots of engeneering in drilling as well as fastening with sharper more complex threading, heads, locking mechanisums and protective coatings.

http://screw-products.com/star-drive-wood-screws/

http://www.screwsolutions.com/Why-Star-Drive-Screws_ep_41.html

http://www.marshfasteners.com/difference-deck-screws-wooden-screws/

http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/todays-wood-screw-technology-2/

Clamp

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clamp_(tool)

secure objects tightly together to prevent movement or separation through the application of inward pressure most efficient in the direction of inward force

Adhesive (glue)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adhesive

any substance applied to one surface, or both surfaces, of two separate items that binds them together and resists their separation

Typically used in Furniture to make suffer joints that are intended to be permanent

Dowel Pins

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dowel

Dowels are employed in numerous, diverse applications

Nails

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nail_(fastener)

a nail is a pin-shaped object of metal (or wood, called a treenail or "trunnel") which is used as a fastener

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treenail

http://www.boat-building.org/learn-skills/index.php/en/wood/treenails/

In the depression my Grandfather built a Cedar Chest with no metal fasteners because they were too expensive instead he made and used wooden nails. Examining it I think he used a metal nail to form a cavity for the narrow wooden spikes he drove and used glue in conjunction.

Bolt

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolt_(fastener)

A bolt is a form of threaded fastener with an external male thread. Bolts are thus closely related to, and often confused with, screws

Torx

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torx

Joints

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodworking_joints

Screw types

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_screw_drives

Nail Vs Screw

https://lifehacker.com/5990779/screws-vs-nails-when-do-you-use-one-or-the-other

-- McMaster Carr - Where to goto get anything (in the US) sorry

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/dowel-pins.html