How to Retrieve the Schema of a MySQL Database Table?

Retrieving Database Table Schemas in MySQL

Manipulating your MySQL database effectively often requires a thorough understanding of the tables and their structure. To reveal this structure, it is essential to retrieve the schema of a table.

Viewing the Schema

The MySQL console provides several commands for displaying table schemas:

Formatted Output:

To obtain a formatted output of the table schema, use the following command:

describe [db_name.]table_name;

This command generates a detailed list of columns, their data types, constraints, and other information.

SQL Statement for Table Creation:

Another method, especially useful for recreating or modifying tables, is to use the following command:

show create table [db_name.]table_name;

This command returns an SQL statement that can be executed to recreate the table with its current schema.

Usage Example

Suppose you have a table named users in the database employees. To display its schema using the first command, you would enter:

describe employees.users;

Alternatively, to obtain the SQL statement for recreating the table, use:

show create table employees.users;

The result of these commands will provide you with comprehensive information about the users table, including column definitions, constraints, and other relevant schema details.

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