Which step in the link-state routing process is described by a router building a link-state database based on received LSAs?

Apologies for the confusion. In the context of link-state routing protocols such as OSPF, the process of building a link-state database (LSDB) from received LSAs is indeed akin to “building the topology table” in the sense that it is constructing a comprehensive view of the network topology.

So, for clarification:

In link-state routing, each router builds a database that represents the entire network’s topology. This is achieved by exchanging LSAs with all other routers in the same routing area. After all the routers have exchanged LSAs, each one has a complete and identical link-state database. From this database, a router constructs a shortest path tree with itself as the root. The LSDB effectively serves the role of a “topology table” by providing all the information necessary to understand the network layout and link states.

The term “topology table” is not commonly used in the strict context of link-state routing protocols like OSPF, where the term “link-state database” is more accurate. However, I understand the intention behind the term as used in your statement, and you are correct in saying that building the LSDB is a critical step in the OSPF operation, which could be seen as building a topology table of the network.