Display names of all constraints for a table in Oracle SQL

Jeris Alan picture Jeris Alan · Aug 9, 2012 · Viewed 459.1k times · Source

I have defined a name for each of the constraint for the multiple tables that I have created in Oracle SQL.

The problem is that to drop a constraint for the column of a particular table I need to know the name that I have supplied for each constraints, which I have forgotten.

How do I list out all the names of constraints that I have specified for each column of a table?

Is there any SQL statement for doing so?

Answer

Ollie picture Ollie · Aug 9, 2012

You need to query the data dictionary, specifically the USER_CONS_COLUMNS view to see the table columns and corresponding constraints:

SELECT *
  FROM user_cons_columns
 WHERE table_name = '<your table name>';

FYI, unless you specifically created your table with a lower case name (using double quotes) then the table name will be defaulted to upper case so ensure it is so in your query.

If you then wish to see more information about the constraint itself query the USER_CONSTRAINTS view:

SELECT *
  FROM user_constraints
 WHERE table_name = '<your table name>'
   AND constraint_name = '<your constraint name>';

If the table is held in a schema that is not your default schema then you might need to replace the views with:

all_cons_columns

and

all_constraints

adding to the where clause:

   AND owner = '<schema owner of the table>'