Using PHP to return table names

Question

I want to use PHP to return a list of my tables containing a specific word.

I found mysql_tablename but apparently this function has been deprecated. How would I go about doing this?

I remember it's doable from a query to the MySQL server, something with schema in it, can't remember exactly... — Madara's Ghost
– Madara's Ghost, Commented Jan 7, 2012 at 20:07
Sorry, I should have been clearer, the word I'm looking for (a username) is in one of the fields within one of the tables, not within one of the table names. But I think I'll be able to work it out, thanks for the help! — user1039878
– user1039878, Commented Jan 7, 2012 at 20:15

craig1231 · Accepted Answer · 2012-01-07 20:07:09Z

2

$q = mysql_query("SHOW TABLES LIKE 'pattern'");

while ($row = @mysql_fetch_row($q))
{
    echo $row[0]."<br>";
}

answered Jan 7, 2012 at 20:07

craig1231

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3 Comments

I think your answer it's not ok because a database needs to be selected in order to work.

so you can use SHOW TABLES IN database LIKE 'pattern'

Assaf Karmon · Accepted Answer · 2012-01-07 20:08:17Z

1

You can Issue a query against information_schema.tables, should be something like

select * from information_schema.tables where table_name like '%keyword%';

answered Jan 7, 2012 at 20:08

Assaf Karmon

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'information_schema.tables' seems to always return the same result? 'Resource id #6'

Madara's Ghost · Accepted Answer · 2012-01-07 20:08:45Z

1

Query the MySQL server for it:

SELECT table_name FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLES
  WHERE table_schema = 'db_name'
  [AND table_name LIKE 'wild']

For tables containing a specific word, use the LIKE keyword to match it in the WHERE clause.

answered Jan 7, 2012 at 20:08

Madara's Ghost

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