DROP TABLE SQL - Language Statements DROP TABLE Removes existing tables from a database 1999-07-20 DROP TABLE name [, ...] 1998-09-22 Inputs name The name of an existing table to drop. 1998-09-22 Outputs DROP The message returned if the command completes successfully. ERROR: table "name" does not exist If the specified table does not exist in the database. 1998-09-22 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 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 two tables, films and distributors: 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.