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The information_schema contains information about your database’s tables, columns, indexes, and views. This information can be used for introspection and reflection.

Data exposed by information_schema

To perform introspection on objects, you can either read from the related information_schema table or use one of CockroachDB’s SHOW statements. information_schema tables are read-only.
Objectinformation_schema TableCorresponding SHOW Statement
Columnscolumns
Constraintscheck_constraints, key_column_usage, referential_constraints, table_constraints
Databasesschemata
Indexesstatistics
Privilegesschema_privileges, table_privileges
Rolesrole_table_grants
Sequencessequences
Tablestables
Viewstables, views

Tables in information_schema

The virtual schema information_schema contains virtual tables, also called “system views,” representing the database’s objects, each of which is detailed below. These differ from regular in that they do not show data created from the content of other tables. Instead, CockroachDB generates the data for virtual tables when they are accessed.
A query can specify a table name without a database name (e.g., SELECT * FROM information_schema.sequences). See for more information.
The virtual tables in information_schema contain useful comments with links to further documentation. To view these comments, use SHOW TABLES FROM information_schema WITH COMMENT:

administrable_role_authorizations

administrable_role_authorizations identifies all roles that the current user has the admin option for.
ColumnDescription
granteeName of the user to which this role membership was granted (always the current user).
role_nameName of a role.
is_grantableYES if the grantee has the admin option on the role; NO if not.

applicable_roles

applicable_roles identifies all roles whose privileges the current user can use. This implies there is a chain of role grants from the current user to the role in question. The current user itself is also an applicable role, but is not listed.
ColumnDescription
granteeName of the user to which this role membership was granted (always the current user).
role_nameName of a role.
is_grantableYES if the grantee has the admin option on the role; NO if not.

character_sets

character_sets identifies the character sets available in the current database.
ColumnDescription
character_set_catalogAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).
character_set_schemaAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).
character_set_nameName of the character set (i.e., the name of the database encoding). Always UTF8.
character_repertoireCharacter repertoire. UCS if the encoding is UTF8; the encoding name if not.
form_of_useCharacter encoding form (i.e., the name of the database encoding). Always UTF8.
default_collate_catalogName of the database containing the default collation (if any collation is identified, always the current database).
default_collate_schemaAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).
default_collate_nameAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).

check_constraints

check_constraints contains information about the constraints applied to columns in a database.
ColumnDescription
constraint_catalogName of the database containing the constraint.
constraint_schemaName of the schema containing the constraint.
constraint_nameName of the constraint.
check_clauseDefinition of the CHECK constraint.

collations

collations identifies the collations available in the current database.
ColumnDescription
collation_catalogName of the database containing the collation (always the current database).
collation_schemaName of the schema containing the collation (always pg_catalog).
collation_nameName of the collation.
pad_attributeAlways NO PAD (PAD SPACE is not supported by CockroachDB).

collation_character_set_applicability

collation_character_set_applicability identifies which character set the available collations are applicable to.
ColumnDescription
collation_catalogName of the database containing the collation (always the current database).
collation_schemaName of the schema containing the collation (always pg_catalog).
collation_nameName of the collation.
character_set_catalogAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).
character_set_schemaAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).
character_set_nameName of the character set (always UTF8).

columns

columns contains information about the columns in each table.
ColumnDescription
table_catalogName of the database containing the table.
table_schemaName of the schema containing the table.
table_nameName of the table.
column_nameName of the column.
column_commentComment on the column.
ordinal_positionOrdinal position of the column in the table (begins at 1).
column_defaultDefault value for the column.
is_nullableYES if the column accepts NULL values; NO if it doesn’t (e.g., it has the ).
data_type of the column.
character_maximum_lengthIf data_type is STRING, the maximum length in characters of a value; otherwise NULL.
character_octet_lengthIf data_type is STRING, the maximum length in octets (bytes) of a value; otherwise NULL.
numeric_precisionIf data_type is numeric, the declared or implicit precision (i.e., number of significant digits); otherwise NULL.
numeric_precision_radixIf data_type identifies a numeric type, the base in which the values in the columns numeric_precision and numeric_scale are expressed (either 2 or 10). For all other data types, column is NULL.
numeric_scaleIf data_type is an exact numeric type, the scale (i.e., number of digits to the right of the decimal point); otherwise NULL.
datetime_precisionThe precision level of columns with data type , , or . For all other data types, this column is NULL.
interval_typeIf data_type is , the specified fields (e.g., YEAR TO MONTH); otherwise NULL.
interval_precisionIf data_type is , the declared or implicit precision (i.e., number of significant digits); otherwise NULL.
character_set_catalogAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).
character_set_schemaAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).
character_set_nameAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).
collation_catalogName of the database containing the collation (always the current database); NULL if the default collation is used, or if data_type is not collatable.
collation_schemaName of the schema containing the collation; NULL if the default collation is used, or if data_type is not collatable.
collation_nameName of the collation; NULL if the default collation is used, or if data_type is not collatable.
domain_catalogAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).
domain_schemaAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).
domain_nameAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).
udt_catalogName of the column data type’s database (always the current database).
udt_schemaName of the column data type’s schema.
udt_nameName of the column data type.
scope_catalogAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).
scope_schemaAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).
scope_nameAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).
maximum_cardinalityAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).
dtd_identifierAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).
is_self_referencingAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).
is_identityWhether or not the column is an identity column (always NO).
identity_generationAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).
identity_startIf the column is an identity column, then the start value of the internal sequence, else NULL.
identity_incrementIf the column is an identity column, then the increment of the internal sequence, else NULL.
identity_maximumIf the column is an identity column, then the maximum value of the internal sequence, else NULL.
identity_minimumIf the column is an identity column, then the minimum value of the internal sequence, else NULL.
identity_cycleIf the column is an identity column, then YES if the internal sequence cycles or NO if it does not; otherwise NULL.
is_generatedWhether or not the column is generated (i.e., a ). Possible values: YES or NO.
generation_expressionThe expression used for computing the column value in a computed column.
is_updatableWhether or not the column is able to be updated. Possible values: YES or NO.
is_hiddenWhether or not the column is hidden. Possible values: YES or NO.
crdb_sql_type of the column.

column_privileges

column_privileges identifies all privileges granted on columns to or by a currently enabled role. There is one row for each combination of grantor, grantee, and column (defined by table_catalog, table_schema, table_name, and column_name).
ColumnDescription
grantorName of the role that granted the privilege.
granteeName of the role that was granted the privilege.
table_catalogName of the database containing the table that contains the column (always the current database).
table_schemaName of the schema containing the table that contains the column.
table_nameName of the table.
column_nameName of the column.
privilege_typeName of the .
is_grantableAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).

column_udt_usage

column_udt_usage identifies all columns that use data types owned by a currently-enabled role.
ColumnDescription
udt_catalogName of the database in which the column data type is defined (always the current database).
udt_schemaName of the schema in which the column data type is defined.
udt_nameName of the column data type.
table_catalogName of the database containing the table (always the current database).
table_schemaName of the schema containing the table.
table_nameName of the table.
column_nameName of the column.

constraint_column_usage

constraint_column_usage identifies all columns in a database that are used by some .
ColumnDescription
table_catalogName of the database that contains the table that contains the column that is used by some constraint.
table_schemaName of the schema that contains the table that contains the column that is used by some constraint.
table_nameName of the table that contains the column that is used by some constraint.
column_nameName of the column that is used by some constraint.
constraint_catalogName of the database that contains the constraint.
constraint_schemaName of the schema that contains the constraint.
constraint_nameName of the constraint.

enabled_roles

The enabled_roles view identifies enabled roles for the current user. This includes both direct and indirect roles.
ColumnDescription
role_nameName of a role.

key_column_usage

key_column_usage identifies columns with , , or constraints.
ColumnDescription
constraint_catalogName of the database containing the constraint.
constraint_schemaName of the schema containing the constraint.
constraint_nameName of the constraint.
table_catalogName of the database containing the constrained table.
table_schemaName of the schema containing the constrained table.
table_nameName of the constrained table.
column_nameName of the constrained column.
ordinal_positionOrdinal position of the column within the constraint (begins at 1).
position_in_unique_constraintFor foreign key constraints, ordinal position of the referenced column within its uniqueness constraint (begins at 1).

referential_constraints

referential_constraints identifies all referential () constraints.
ColumnDescription
constraint_catalogName of the database containing the constraint.
constraint_schemaName of the schema containing the constraint.
constraint_nameName of the constraint.
unique_constraint_catalogName of the database containing the UNIQUE or PRIMARY KEY constraint that the foreign key constraint references (always the current database).
unique_constraint_schemaName of the schema containing the UNIQUE or PRIMARY KEY constraint that the foreign key constraint references.
unique_constraint_nameName of the UNIQUE or PRIMARY KEY constraint.
match_optionMatch option of the foreign key constraint: FULL, PARTIAL, or NONE.
update_ruleUpdate rule of the foreign key constraint: CASCADE, SET NULL, SET DEFAULT, RESTRICT, or NO ACTION.
delete_ruleDelete rule of the foreign key constraint: CASCADE, SET NULL, SET DEFAULT, RESTRICT, or NO ACTION.
table_nameName of the table containing the constraint.
referenced_table_nameName of the table containing the UNIQUE or PRIMARY KEY constraint that the foreign key constraint references.

role_table_grants

role_table_grants identifies which have been granted on tables or views where the grantor or grantee is a currently enabled role. This table is identical to table_privileges.
ColumnDescription
grantorName of the role that granted the privilege.
granteeName of the role that was granted the privilege.
table_catalogName of the database containing the table.
table_schemaName of the schema containing the table.
table_nameName of the table.
privilege_typeName of the .
is_grantableTRUE if the grantee has the grant option on the object; FALSE if not.
with_hierarchyAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).

schema_privileges

schema_privileges identifies which have been granted to each user at the database level.
ColumnDescription
granteeUsername of user with grant.
table_catalogName of the database containing the constrained table.
table_schemaName of the schema containing the constrained table.
privilege_typeName of the .
is_grantableAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).

schemata

schemata identifies the database’s schemas.
ColumnDescription
table_catalogName of the database.
table_schemaName of the schema.
default_character_set_nameAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).
sql_pathAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).

sequences

sequences identifies defined in a database.
ColumnDescription
sequence_catalogName of the database that contains the sequence.
sequence_schemaName of the schema that contains the sequence.
sequence_nameName of the sequence.
data_typeThe data type of the sequence.
numeric_precisionThe (declared or implicit) precision of the sequence data_type.
numeric_precision_radixThe base of the values in which the columns numeric_precision and numeric_scale are expressed. The value is either 2 or 10.
numeric_scaleThe (declared or implicit) scale of the sequence data_type. The scale indicates the number of significant digits to the right of the decimal point. It can be expressed in decimal (base 10) or binary (base 2) terms, as specified in the column numeric_precision_radix.
start_valueThe first value of the sequence.
minimum_valueThe minimum value of the sequence.
maximum_valueThe maximum value of the sequence.
incrementThe value by which the sequence is incremented. A negative number creates a descending sequence. A positive number creates an ascending sequence.
cycle_optionCurrently, all sequences are set to NO CYCLE and the sequence will not wrap.

session_variables

session_variables contains information about the for your session. session_variables contains a variable column and a value column. The value column corresponds to the output of the statement. For a list of the session variables, see .

statistics

statistics identifies table .
ColumnDescription
table_catalogName of the database that contains the constrained table.
table_schemaName of the schema that contains the constrained table.
table_nameName of the table.
non_uniqueNO if the index was created with the UNIQUE constraint; YES if the index was not created with UNIQUE.
index_schemaName of the schema that contains the index.
index_nameName of the index.
seq_in_indexOrdinal position of the column within the index (begins at 1).
column_nameName of the column being indexed.
collationAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).
cardinalityAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).
directionASC (ascending) or DESC (descending) order.
storingYES if column is ; NO if it’s indexed or implicit.
implicitYES if column is implicit (i.e., it is not specified in the index and not stored); NO if it’s indexed or stored.

table_constraints

table_constraints identifies applied to tables.
ColumnDescription
constraint_catalogName of the database containing the constraint.
constraint_schemaName of the schema containing the constraint.
constraint_nameName of the constraint.
table_catalogName of the database containing the constrained table.
table_schemaName of the schema containing the constrained table.
table_nameName of the constrained table.
constraint_typeType of : CHECK, FOREIGN KEY, PRIMARY KEY, or UNIQUE.
NOT NULL constraints appear as CHECK constraints in this column.
is_deferrableYES if the constraint can be deferred; NO if not.
initially_deferredYES if the constraint is deferrable and initially deferred; NO if not.

table_privileges

table_privileges identifies which have been granted to each user at the table level.
ColumnDescription
grantorAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).
granteeUsername of the user with grant.
table_catalogName of the database that the grant applies to.
table_schemaName of the schema that the grant applies to.
table_nameName of the table that the grant applies to.
privilege_typeType of : SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, TRUNCATE, REFERENCES, or TRIGGER.
is_grantableTRUE if the grantee has the grant option on the object; FALSE if not.
with_hierarchyAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).

tables

tables identifies tables and views in the database.
ColumnDescription
table_catalogName of the database that contains the table.
table_schemaName of the schema that contains the table.
table_nameName of the table.
table_typeType of the table: BASE TABLE for a normal table, VIEW for a view, or SYSTEM VIEW for a view created by CockroachDB.
versionVersion number of the table; versions begin at 1 and are incremented each time an ALTER TABLE statement is issued on the table. Note that this column is an experimental feature used for internal purposes inside CockroachDB and its definition is subject to change without notice.

type_privileges

type_privileges contains information about privileges on the user-defined types in the current database.
ColumnDescription
granteeUsername of user with privilege grant.
type_catalogName of the database that contains the type (always the current database).
type_schemaName of the schema that contains the type.
type_nameName of the type.
privilege_typeType of .

user_privileges

user_privileges identifies global .
ColumnDescription
granteeUsername of user with grant.
table_catalogName of the database that the privilege applies to.
privilege_typeType of .
is_grantableAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).

views

views identifies in the database.
ColumnDescription
table_catalogName of the database that contains the view.
table_schemaName of the schema that contains the view.
table_nameName of the view.
view_definitionAS clause used to .
check_optionAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).
is_updatableAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).
is_insertable_intoAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).
is_trigger_updatableAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).
is_trigger_deletableAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).
is_trigger_insertable_intoAlways NULL (unsupported by CockroachDB).

Empty tables

For compatibility with third-party PostgreSQL and MySQL tooling, information_schema includes the following empty tables:
  • attributes
  • check_constraint_routine_usage
  • column_column_usage
  • column_domain_usage
  • column_options
  • column_statistics
  • columns_extensions
  • constraint_table_usage
  • data_type_privileges
  • domain_constraints
  • domain_udt_usage
  • domains
  • element_types
  • engines
  • events
  • files
  • foreign_data_wrapper_options
  • foreign_data_wrappers
  • foreign_server_options
  • foreign_servers
  • foreign_table_options
  • foreign_tables
  • information_schema_catalog_name
  • keywords
  • optimizer_trace
  • parameters
  • partitions
  • plugins
  • processlist
  • profiling
  • resource_groups
  • role_column_grants
  • role_routine_grants
  • role_udt_grants
  • role_usage_grants
  • routines
  • routine_privileges
  • schemata_extensions
  • sql_features
  • sql_implementation_info
  • sql_parts
  • sql_sizing
  • st_geometry_columns
  • st_spatial_reference_systems
  • st_units_of_measure
  • table_constraints_extensions
  • tables_extensions
  • tablespaces
  • tablespaces_extensions
  • transforms
  • triggered_update_columns
  • triggers
  • udt_privileges
  • usage_privileges
  • user_attributes
  • user_defined_types
  • user_mapping_options
  • user_mappings
  • view_column_usage
  • view_routine_usage
  • view_table_usage

Querying information_schema tables

You can run on the tables in information_schema.
The information_schema views typically represent objects that the current user has privilege to access. To ensure you can view all the objects in a database, access it as a user with .
Unless specified otherwise, queries to information_schema assume the .
For example, to retrieve all columns from the table_constraints table:
And to retrieve specific columns from the table_constraints table:

See also