Dropping a Table (Embedded SQL Guide)

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Use DROP TABLE to remove a table from a database. A table can only be dropped by its owner, the SYSDBA, or a user with root privileges. If a table is in use when a drop is attempted, the drop is postponed until the table is no longer in use. The syntax of DROP TABLE is:

EXEC SQL
DROP TABLE name;

<name> is the name of the table to drop. For example, the following statement drops the EMPLOYEE table:

EXEC SQL
DROP TABLE EMPLOYEE;
EXEC SQL
COMMIT;

Deleting a table fails if a table is used in a view, a trigger, or a computed column. A table cannot be deleted if a UNIQUE or PRIMARY KEY integrity constraint is defined for it, and the constraint is also referenced by a FOREIGN KEY in another table. To drop the table, first drop the FOREIGN KEY constraints in the other table, then drop the table.

Note: Columns within a table can be dropped without dropping the rest of the table. For more information, see Dropping an Existing Column.

For more information about DROP TABLE, see the Data Definition Guide.