Drop table if exists in PostgreSQL database

Question

I am trying to drop table if it is exists in the present working database of PostgreSQL. For which I am trying the following query.

Example:

var1 := 'IF EXISTS (select * from INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLES WHERE name = ''Table_'|| Suffix ||''') then
      DROP TABLE Table_'||Suffix||'';

execute var1;

But getting error near IF.

Please add more context to your code, please post the full statement you trying to execute. — Sharkman
– Sharkman, Commented Jun 30, 2014 at 11:24
Show the exact text of the error message, and the surrounding code. Also, what's the PostgreSQL version? SELECT version(); — Craig Ringer
– Craig Ringer, Commented Jun 30, 2014 at 12:43

harmic · Accepted Answer · 2014-06-30 12:09:04Z

62

execute executes SQL statements, not PL/pgSQL commands. The IF statement is a PL/pgSQL construct.

In any case you can use

DROP TABLE IF EXISTS ...

(see the manual page for DROP).

answered Jun 30, 2014 at 12:09

harmic

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