mariadb show tables with code examples

Introduction

Mariadb is an open source relational database management system that has many features to help store and analyze data. One of the most important features of Mariadb is its robust querying capabilities. To get the most of Mariadb, it is essential to master how to display the list of the tables’ names in a database (i.e., show tables).

In this article, we’ll show you how to use the ‘show tables’ command. You can run this command in Mariadb to display the list of tables in the database. We’ll also provide you with code examples on how to run the command in different scenarios.

Before we dive into the ‘show tables’ command, let’s quickly go through some essential concepts related to Mariadb.

What is Mariadb?

Mariadb is a relational database management system that stems from the popular MySQL database. It is an open-source and community-developed fork of the MySQL system. The Mariadb community has made significant contributions to the development of the database server. These contributions have led to an improved software, including better performance, scalability, and security.

Mariadb can store and process vast amounts of data efficiently. The system uses a structured query language (SQL), which allows users to store, manipulate, and retrieve data from tables.

What are tables in Mariadb?

A table in Mariadb is a data repository that contains related data entries or records. Tables store data in columns and rows. Columns represent the different categories of data stored in the table, while rows store specific instances of data values that correspond to a column. For instance, a grocery store inventory table could have columns such as ‘product name,’ ‘price,’ ‘quantity,’ and ‘expiration date.’ Rows would represent the details of a specific product.

Mariadb ‘show tables’ Command

The ‘show tables’ command is used to display the list of tables in a database. It returns a list of tables that exist in the current database. This command is useful to check what tables are available in a database you are working on.

In Mariadb, the ‘show tables’ command syntax is as follows:

SHOW TABLES [FROM dbname] [LIKE 'pattern']\G

We’ll go through the options available in the command syntax:

SHOW TABLES: This is the main part of the command that asks the database to display the list of tables.

FROM dbname: This option is used when you want to specify the name of the database that you want to list tables from. If you don’t specify the ‘FROM dbname’ clause, Mariadb assumes that you want to list tables from the current database.

LIKE ‘pattern’: This option is used to filter the results returned by the ‘show tables’ command based on a given pattern. You can use ‘%’ to match any string and ‘_’ to match any character.

\G (semicolon keyed twice): This is an optional character that can be added after the ‘show tables’ command. It switches the output mode to vertical, which makes the output easy to read.

Code Examples of Mariadb Show Tables

In the following sections, we’ll walk you through code examples of three scenarios where you can use the ‘show tables’ command.

Example 1: Display All Tables in a Database

You can display all tables in a database with the ‘show tables’ command. Here is how to do it:

SHOW TABLES;

This query will return a list of all tables in the current database.

Example 2: Display Tables with a Specific Pattern in Its Name

You can also use the ‘like’ clause to filter the output and display only tables that match a specified pattern. For example, if you want to display only tables that have the word ‘customer’ in their name, you can use this command:

SHOW TABLES LIKE '%customer%';

This query will display all tables whose names contain the word ‘customer.’

Example 3: Display Tables in a Specific Database

When working with multiple databases, you may want to list tables from a specific database. Here is how you can use the ‘FROM dbname’ clause to display tables from a specified database:

Suppose we have two databases, ‘cars’ and ‘bikes.’ We want to retrieve a list of tables from the ‘bikes’ database.

SHOW TABLES FROM bikes;

This query will list all tables available in the ‘bikes’ database.

Conclusion

The ‘show tables’ command is a useful feature provided by Mariadb that you can use to display a list of tables in a database. This command is a great tool that can help you verify that tables are correctly configured and available in your database.

In this article, we have provided you with a comprehensive overview of the ‘show tables’ command, its syntax, and code examples of how to use it in different scenarios. We hope this article has helped you to understand how to list tables in Mariadb.

here are some additional details about Mariadb, tables, and the 'show tables' command:

Mariadb vs. MySQL

As mentioned earlier, Mariadb is a fork of the popular MySQL database management system. The Mariadb community consists of developers who have contributed to MySQL’s development and created Mariadb to address some of MySQL’s limitations and enhance its features.

One significant advantage of Mariadb over MySQL is its scalability. Mariadb allows efficient load balancing across multiple nodes, which improves performance and provides high-availability clustering features.

Furthermore, Mariadb’s security features are more robust than those of MySQL. For instance, Mariadb has introduced password validation plugins that allow users to ensure that their passwords are secure and meet specific complexity requirements.

In conclusion, Mariadb and MySQL are both solid database management systems with many similarities. However, Mariadb’s recent enhancements are significant improvements that have caught the attention of many developers.

Tables in Mariadb

Tables are a fundamental structure in databases. They provide a way to organize and store data efficiently. Tables contain columns, which indicate the type of data stored in them and rows that store the data instances. Mariadb supports various data types, including integer, string, and date-time data.

When creating a table in Mariadb, it is essential to specify the column names, data types, and constraints. Constraints are rules used to enforce data integrity and ensure that data entered in the table is valid. For example, you can define a primary key constraint that ensures that each record in the table has a unique identifier.

Mariadb 'show tables' Command Options

The ‘show tables’ command has additional options that users can apply to customize their output:

1. DESC – This option sorts the output alphabetically in reverse order.

2. LIKE – This option allows users to filter the output by specifying a pattern.

3. WHERE – This option allows users to filter the output using a logical condition.

4. LIMIT – This option limits the number of results returned by the command.

For example, to list all tables and sort the output alphabetically in descending order, you can use the command below:

SHOW TABLES DESC;

Conclusion

Mariadb provides a robust and flexible database management system that allows users to store, manage, and retrieve data efficiently. The ‘show tables’ command is a handy tool that allows users to list all available tables in a database and verify that their configurations are correct.

In conclusion, mastering the ‘show tables’ command in Mariadb can go a long way in helping users to optimize their database management and analyze data more effectively. By applying the different options available in the command, users can customize the output to fit their specific needs.

Popular questions

1. What is the Mariadb 'show tables' command used for?
   Answer: The 'show tables' command is used to display a list of tables in a database.

2. What is the syntax of the 'show tables' command in Mariadb?
   Answer: The syntax of the 'show tables' command in Mariadb is as follows: SHOW TABLES [FROM dbname] [LIKE 'pattern']\G.

3. How can you use the 'like' option with the 'show tables' command?
   Answer: You can use the 'like' option with the 'show tables' command to filter the output and display only tables that match a specified pattern. For example, if you want to display only tables that contain the word 'customer' in their name, you can use this command: SHOW TABLES LIKE '%customer%'.

4. Can you use the 'show tables' command to display tables from a specific database?
   Answer: Yes, you can use the 'show tables' command to display tables from a specific database by using the 'FROM dbname' clause. For example, to list all tables available in the 'bikes' database, you can use this command: SHOW TABLES FROM bikes.

5. What are the benefits of Mariadb over MySQL?
   Answer: Some key benefits of Mariadb over MySQL include better scalability, improved load balancing, and stronger security and password validation features. Mariadb has also addressed some of the limitations of MySQL and introduced enhancements that have attracted many developers.

Tag

Databases.