Describe table structure

Question

Which query will give the table structure with column definitions in SQL?

Answer 1

DESCRIBE tableName

Check MySQL describe command

Answer 2

It depends from the database you use. Here is an incomplete list:

• sqlite3: .schema table_name
• Postgres (psql): \d table_name
• SQL Server: sp_help table_name (or sp_columns table_name for only columns)
• Oracle DB2: desc table_name or describe table_name
• MySQL: describe table_name (or show columns from table_name for only columns)

Answer 3

sp_help tablename in sql server -- sp_help [ [ @objname = ] 'name' ]

desc tablename in oracle -- DESCRIBE { table-Name | view-Name }

Answer 4

Sql server

DECLARE @tableName nvarchar(100)
SET @tableName = N'members' -- change with table name
SELECT
    [column].*,
    COLUMNPROPERTY(object_id([column].[TABLE_NAME]), [column].[COLUMN_NAME], 'IsIdentity') AS [identity]
FROM 
    INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS [column] 
WHERE
    [column].[Table_Name] = @tableName

Answer 5

For SQL, use the Keyword 'sp_help'

Answer 6

This depends on your database vendor. Mostly it's the "information schema" you should Google for (applies to MySQL, MSSQL and perhaps others).