How to get database structure in MySQL via query

Question

Is it possible to somehow get structure of MySQL database, or just some table with simple query?

Or is there another way, how can I do it?

Answer 1

To get the whole database structure as a set of CREATE TABLE statements, use mysqldump:

mysqldump database_name --compact --no-data

For single tables, add the table name after db name in mysqldump. You get the same results with SQL and SHOW CREATE TABLE:

SHOW CREATE TABLE table;

Or DESCRIBE if you prefer a column listing:

DESCRIBE table;