SQL Drop/Delete Table

How to Drop or Delete Table by SQL?

The DROP TABLE statement is used to delete an existing table along with its data and structure from the database.

Syntax:

                                  
                                    DROP TABLE [IF EXISTS] table_name;

table_name: The name of the table to be dropped.
IF EXISTS: Optional. It prevents an error from occurring if the table does not exist.

Example:

Let's say you have a table named employees:

                                  
                                    CREATE TABLE employees (
    employee_id INT PRIMARY KEY,
    first_name VARCHAR(50),
    last_name VARCHAR(50),
    department VARCHAR(50),
    salary DECIMAL(10, 2)
);

INSERT INTO employees VALUES
    (1, 'John', 'Doe', 'HR', 50000.00),
    (2, 'Jane', 'Smith', 'IT', 60000.00),
    (3, 'Bob', 'Johnson', 'Finance', 55000.00);

To drop the employees table:

                                
                                    DROP TABLE employees;

This statement will delete the entire table along with its structure and data.

Drop Table with IF EXISTS:

If you want to avoid an error in case the table does not exist, you can use the IF EXISTS clause:

                                  
                                    DROP TABLE IF EXISTS employees;

This is particularly useful when you are unsure whether the table exists, and you want to prevent accidental errors.

Warning:

Be extremely careful when using DROP TABLE because it permanently deletes the table and all its data. Ensure that you have a backup or confirmation before executing this statement, especially in a production environment.

Tips:

Double-check the table name before executing the DROP TABLE statement.
Make sure that you have a backup of the data if needed.
Consider using IF EXISTS to prevent errors if the table does not exist.