DROP_TABLE(l)                                       DROP_TABLE(l)

NAME
       DROP TABLE - Removes existing tables from a database

SYNOPSIS
       DROP TABLE name [, ...]

   INPUTS
       name   The name of an existing table or view to drop.

   OUTPUTS
       DROP   The  message returned if the command completes suc-
              cessfully.

       ERROR Relation "name" Does Not Exist!
              If the specified table or view does  not  exist  in
              the database.

DESCRIPTION
       DROP  TABLE  removes  tables  and views from the database.
       Only its owner may destroy a table or view. 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  sec-
       ondary  index will not affect the contents of the underly-
       ing table.

   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
   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.

              Tip: At present, to remove a  referenced  view  you
              must drop it explicitly.

SQL - Language Statements 15 August 1999                        1