Show Tables — SQL Technical Interview Questions & Answers

Show Tables

Show Tables

  • SHOW TABLES; lists tables in the current database. USE college; first. SHOW TABLES LIKE 'stu%'; filters names.
  • information_schema.TABLES is the SQL way if you need to join metadata. For a viva, SHOW TABLES is enough.
  • Trap: SHOW TABLES in the wrong database — empty list, panic, recreate tables that already exist elsewhere.
  • On the example next to this theory: Show Tables: create two demo rows, then SELECT qty >= 2 ordered. Say which labels come back.

Technical Interview Tip: USE college; SHOW TABLES;

Code Examples for Show Tables

Show Tables — sample query

-- Show Tables
CREATE TABLE demo (
  id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY,
  label TEXT NOT NULL,
  qty INTEGER DEFAULT 0
);
INSERT INTO demo (id, label, qty) VALUES
  (1, 'alpha', 2),
  (2, 'beta', 5);
SELECT label, qty FROM demo WHERE qty >= 2 ORDER BY qty DESC;

Show Tables: create two demo rows, then SELECT qty >= 2 ordered. Say which labels come back.

How to Explain Show Tables to an Interviewer

How do you list tables?

USE the database SHOW TABLES;