The difference between describe and show in mysql

DESCRIBE describes the table structure (column names, data types, constraints, indexes), only applicable to table objects. SHOW, on the other hand, displays metadata about database objects (databases, tables, columns, functions, procedures, and so on), including a brief list of columns in the table and runtime information about the database server.

The difference between DESCRIBE and SHOW in MySQL

The DESCRIBE and SHOW commands in MySQL are used to obtain relevant database objects Information. While they have some similarities, they differ in purpose and functionality:

Purpose

• DESCRIBE: Description The structure of a specific table, including column names, data types, constraints, and indexes.
• SHOW: Displays metadata about the database server, databases, tables, and various objects.

Functions

DESCRIBE

• Applies only to table objects.

• Output detailed table structure information, including:

  • Column name
  • Data type
  • Nullability
  • Primary key and foreign key constraints
  • Default value
  • Index information

##SHOW

Can act on different objects, including databases, tables, columns, functions and procedures.
• Output higher-level metadata information, such as:
  Database and table information
  • A brief list of columns in the table
  • Indices, foreign keys, and triggers
  • Runtime information for the database server

Syntax

• DESCRIBE: DESCRIBE table_name;
• SHOW: SHOW [option] object_name;

For example:

View the structure of table
• users: DESCRIBE users;
Display database
• mydb All tables in: SHOW TABLES IN mydb;

Summary

##DESCRIBE:
• Details Describe the table structure.
SHOW:
• Displays metadata about various database objects.

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