SQL DROP DATABASE Statement

The DROP DATABASE statement in SQL permanently deletes an entire database. This is a very powerful command, but use it with extreme caution because it's a destructive operation—all data within the database will be lost unless you have a backup.

DROP DATABASE: Definition and Usage

DROP DATABASE is used to completely remove a database from your database system. This is typically done when a database is no longer needed or when you want to completely reset a database to its initial empty state. Because this action is irreversible (without a database backup), it is important to exercise extreme caution and always double-check the name of the database you're deleting.

Syntax

DROP DATABASE database_name;
      

Example

Dropping a Database

This example shows how to delete a database named 'testDB'. It's crucial to verify the database name before execution to prevent accidental data loss.

DROP DATABASE testDB;