Syntax

SHOW [FULL] TABLES [FROM db_name]
    [LIKE 'pattern' | WHERE expr]

Description

SHOW TABLES lists the non-TEMPORARY tables, sequences and views in a given database.

The LIKE clause, if present on its own, indicates which table names to match. The WHERE and LIKE clauses can be given to select rows using more general conditions, as discussed in Extended SHOW. For example, when searching for tables in the test database, the column name for use in the WHERE and LIKE clauses will be Tables_in_test

The FULL modifier is supported such that SHOW FULL TABLES displays a second output column. Values for the second column. Table_type, are BASE TABLE for a table, VIEW for a view and SEQUENCE for a sequence.

You can also get this information using:

mysqlshow db_name

See mysqlshow for more details.

If you have no privileges for a base table or view, it does not show up in the output from SHOW TABLES or mysqlshow db_name.

The information_schema.TABLES table, as well as the SHOW TABLE STATUS statement, provide extended information about tables.

Examples

SHOW TABLES;
+----------------------+
| Tables_in_test       |
+----------------------+
| animal_count         |
| animals              |
| are_the_mooses_loose |
| aria_test2           |
| t1                   |
| view1                |
+----------------------+

Showing the tables beginning with a only.

SHOW TABLES WHERE Tables_in_test LIKE 'a%';
+----------------------+
| Tables_in_test       |
+----------------------+
| animal_count         |
| animals              |
| are_the_mooses_loose |
| aria_test2           |
+----------------------+

Showing tables and table types:

SHOW FULL TABLES;
+----------------+------------+
| Tables_in_test | Table_type |
+----------------+------------+
| s1             | SEQUENCE   |
| student        | BASE TABLE |
| v1             | VIEW       |
+----------------+------------+

See Also

• SHOW TABLE STATUS
• The information_schema.TABLES table