How can I describe a table in Oracle without using the DESCRIBE command?

Question

I\'m having a hard time with a class I am taking. We need to write an Oracle script that will act just like the DESCRIBE command. The book we are using describes how to work

Answer 1

Oracle has a set tables containing meta data about the database structure. There is a table of tables. A table of views. A table of columns. You can query these tables by using views such as USER_TABLES (tables in your schema), ALL_TABLES (tables you have permission to view), DBA_TABLES (all tables, if you have the privileges). More generically, many database vendors support the "information schema" which provides a consistent view of the meta data across vendors. Search for "ALL_TABLES" here and look at all the other information available http://docs.oracle.com/cd/B28359_01/server.111/b28320/toc.htm