Postgresql: show tables, show databases, show columns

Date: July 3, 2009.
url:http://www.linuxscrew.com/2009/07/03/postgresql-show-tables-show-databases-show-columns/

postgresql logoPostgreSQL is one of the best database engines for an average web project and many who moves to psql from mysql (for example) often ask the following questions: what is the analog of “show tables” in postgres? or how can I get the list of databases in postgres like “show databases” in mysql? The answers are short:

mysql: SHOW TABLES
postgresql: \d
postgresql: SELECT table_name
            FROM information_schema.tables
            WHERE table_schema = 'public';

mysql: SHOW DATABASES
postgresql: \l
postgresql: SELECT datname FROM pg_database;

mysql: SHOW COLUMNS
postgresql: \d table
postgresql: SELECT column_name
            FROM information_schema.columns
            WHERE table_name ='table';