DROP TABLE

DDL Buy Me A Coffee

Remove a table and all its data.

Permanently removes a table and all its data, triggering any associated triggers and constraints. Irreversible. Use CASCADE with caution -- it drops dependent objects too. Prefer soft deletes (is_deleted flag) if you need auditability.

Compatibility

SQL DROP TABLE Compatibility Across Databases
Database System Support Status Since Version Notes
MySQL Native all CASCADE available
PostgreSQL Native all CASCADE / RESTRICT
SQL Server Native all IF EXISTS in 2016+
Oracle Native all PURGE option
SQLite Native all IF EXISTS

Details

DDL to remove a table.

Standard Syntax

DROP TABLE table_name;

Version Support

MySQL: Native in all listed versions PostgreSQL: Native in all listed versions SQL Server: Native in all listed versions Oracle: Native in all listed versions SQLite: Native in all listed versions

Per-Database Syntax & Notes

MySQL Native syntax

CASCADE available

DROP TABLE IF EXISTS tbl;

PostgreSQL Native syntax

CASCADE / RESTRICT

DROP TABLE IF EXISTS tbl CASCADE;

SQL Server Native syntax

IF EXISTS in 2016+

DROP TABLE IF EXISTS tbl;

Oracle Native syntax

PURGE option

DROP TABLE tbl PURGE;

SQLite Native syntax

IF EXISTS

DROP TABLE IF EXISTS tbl;