NAME
DROP TABLE - remove a table
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.