DROP TABLE
  
  SQL - Language Statements
 
 
  
   DROP TABLE
  
  
   Removes existing tables from a database
  
  
 
  
   1998-09-22
  
  
DROP TABLE table [, ...]
  
  
  
   
    1998-09-22
   
   
    Inputs
   
   
   
       
	
	 
	  table
	 
	 
	  
	   The name of an existing table or view to drop.
	  
	 
	
       
  
  
  
   
    1998-09-22
   
   
    Outputs
   
   
   
   
    
     
status
     
     
      
       
	
	 
	  DROP
	 
	 
	  
	   The message returned if the command completes successfully.
	  
	 
	
	
	 
	   ERROR Relation "table" Does Not Exist!
	 
	 
	  
	   If the specified table or view does not exist in the database.
	  
	 
	
       
     
    
   
  
 
 
 
  
   1998-09-22
  
  
   Description
  
  
DROP TABLE removes tables and views from the database.
   Only its owner may destroy a table or view. 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.
  
  
  
   
    1998-09-22
   
   
    Notes
   
   
    Refer to CREATE TABLE and
    ALTER TABLE for information on
    how to create or modify tables.
   
  
 
 
 
  
   Usage
  
  
   To destroy the films and 
   distributors tables:
  
  
DROP TABLE films, distributors
  
 
 
 
   
   Compatibility
  
  
   
  
  
   
    1998-09-22
   
   
    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.
      
     
    
   
    
    
     At present, to remove a referenced view you must drop
     it explicitly.