15.7.7.38 SHOW TABLES Statement

SHOW [EXTENDED] [FULL] TABLES
    [{FROM | IN} db_name]
    [LIKE 'pattern' | WHERE expr]

SHOW TABLES lists the non-TEMPORARY tables in a given database. You can also get this list using the mysqlshow db_name command. The LIKE clause, if present, indicates which table names to match. The WHERE clause can be given to select rows using more general conditions, as discussed in Section 28.8, “Extensions to SHOW Statements”.

Matching performed by the LIKE clause is dependent on the setting of the lower_case_table_names system variable.

The optional EXTENDED modifier causes SHOW TABLES to list hidden tables created by failed ALTER TABLE statements. These temporary tables have names beginning with #sql and can be dropped using DROP TABLE.

This statement also lists any views in the database. The optional FULL modifier causes SHOW TABLES to display a second output column with values of BASE TABLE for a table, VIEW for a view, or SYSTEM VIEW for an INFORMATION_SCHEMA table.

If you have no privileges for a base table or view, it does not show up in the output from SHOW TABLES or mysqlshow db_name.

Table information is also available from the INFORMATION_SCHEMA TABLES table. See Section 28.3.38, “The INFORMATION_SCHEMA TABLES Table”.