DROP TABLE() SQL Commands DROP TABLE()NAME
DROP TABLE - Removes existing tables from a database
SYNOPSIS
DROP TABLE name [, ...]
INPUTS
name The name of an existing table to drop.
OUTPUTS
DROP The message returned if the command completes successfully.
ERROR: table "name" does not exist
If the specified table does not exist in the database.
DESCRIPTION
DROP TABLE removes tables from the database. Only its owner may
destroy a table. A table may be emptied of rows, but not destroyed, by
using DELETE.
If a table being destroyed has secondary indexes on it, they will be
removed first. The removal of just a secondary index will not affect
the contents of the underlying table.
NOTES
Refer to CREATE TABLE and ALTER TABLE for information on how to create
or modify tables.
USAGE
To destroy two tables, films and distributors:
DROP TABLE films, distributors;
COMPATIBILITY
SQL92
SQL92 specifies some additional capabilities for DROP TABLE:
DROP TABLE table { RESTRICT | CASCADE }
RESTRICT
Ensures that only a table with no dependent views or integrity
constraints can be destroyed.
CASCADE
Any referencing views or integrity constraints will also be
dropped.
Tip: At present, to remove a referenced view you must drop it
explicitly.
SQL - Language Statements 29 March 2001 DROP TABLE()