How Can I Retrieve a List of Tables from an Oracle Database?

Accessing Oracle Database Table Lists

Database administrators and developers frequently need to retrieve a complete list of tables within an Oracle database. This article details several methods to accomplish this task.

Utilizing the DBA_TABLES View

The DBA_TABLES data dictionary view offers a comprehensive inventory of all tables, including their owners. Users with the necessary permissions can run this query:

<code class="language-sql">SELECT owner, table_name
FROM dba_tables;</code>

The ALL_TABLES View

For users without DBA privileges, the ALL_TABLES view provides a similar list, but restricted to tables accessible by the current user:

<code class="language-sql">SELECT owner, table_name
FROM all_tables;</code>

Using the USER_TABLES View

To list only tables owned by the connected user, the USER_TABLES view is the most efficient:

<code class="language-sql">SELECT table_name
FROM user_tables;</code>

Deprecated Data Dictionary Views

Older Oracle views like TAB, DICT, TABS, and CAT still exist but are generally not recommended for modern Oracle versions.

Important Considerations

To refine your results, you may want to exclude tables belonging to system schemas such as SYS and SYSTEM. These schemas contain numerous tables that are typically irrelevant for most users. Furthermore, filtering out tables residing in the recycle bin is often advisable, as these are generally inactive.

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