juniorMySQL
Viewing Table Structure
Updated May 4, 2026
Short answer
Use DESCRIBE or SHOW CREATE TABLE commands.
Deep explanation
DESCRIBE provides a quick overview of columns and types. SHOW CREATE TABLE gives the exact SQL needed to rebuild the table.
Real-world example
Checking a column's data type before performing an INSERT.
Common mistakes
- Not checking if a column allows NULLs before a bulk import.
Follow-up questions
- What does 'Extra' show in DESC?