PostgreSQL 7.3.4 Documentation
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# DROP TABLE

## Name

DROP TABLE -- remove a table

## Synopsis

    DROP TABLE name [, ...] [ CASCADE | RESTRICT ]

### Inputs

name

  The name (optionally schema-qualified) of an existing table to drop.

CASCADE

  Automatically drop objects that depend on the table (such as views).

RESTRICT

  Refuse to drop the table if there are any dependent objects. This is the default.

### Outputs

`DROP TABLE`

  The message returned if the command completes successfully.

`ERROR: table "name" does not exist`

  If the specified table does not exist in the database.

## 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`.

`DROP TABLE` always removes any indexes, rules, triggers, and constraints that exist for the target table. However, to drop a table that is referenced by a foreign-key constraint of another table, CASCADE must be specified. (CASCADE will remove the foreign-key constraint, not the other table itself.)

### 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

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