How to get database metadata information (i.e. existing tables andcolumns in tables)

[Tim Golden]

[Chris Brat]

| Is it possible to retrieve details about the database, specifically a
| list of the tables in the database; and then to retrieve the columns
| and their types for the tables?
| 
| Is this dependant on the database? 

In effect it's dependent on the database. We're assuming you're
talking about a relational databases for a start, since other
databases don't necessarily even have tables. The major databases
may support the INFORMATION_SCHEMA standard (random link:
http://www.devx.com/getHelpOn/10MinuteSolution/20561) but they
may not -- I don't think sqlite does, for example -- and their 
implementations may well vary etc.

In short, try INFORMATION_SCHEMA first. Failing that, look
at the specific db docs for the gen.

TJG

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