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 suc
cessfully.
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 sec
ondary index will not affect the contents of the underly
ing 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.
Any referencing views or integrity constraints will
also be dropped.
Tip: At present, to remove a referenced view you
must drop it explicitly.
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