{"kind": "tool", "major": "18", "item": {"slug": "dropdb", "name": "dropdb", "name_zh": "", "category": "Client applications", "summary": "dropdb \u2014 remove a PostgreSQL database", "aliases": ["dropdb"], "content_hash": "6e632f31c0cc278959e5b41cfbfba5d59e1490114204428f2642f4bbf9c0e99e", "versions": {"10": {"facts": [{"label": "Documented executable", "value": "dropdb"}, {"label": "Executable version", "value": "10.23"}, {"label": "Reference inventory", "value": "Client applications"}, {"label": "Option definition groups", "value": "11"}], "tables": [{"key": "options", "rows": [{"summary": "Echo the commands that dropdb generates and sends to the server.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/10/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-e --echo"}}, {"summary": "Issues a verification prompt before doing anything destructive.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/10/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-i --interactive"}}, {"summary": "Print the dropdb version and exit.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/10/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-V --version"}}, {"summary": "Do not throw an error if the database does not exist. 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\n
\n\n
\n

dropdb

\n

dropdb \u2014 remove a PostgreSQL database

\n
\n
\n

Synopsis

\n
\n

dropdb [connection-option...] [option...] dbname

\n
\n
\n
\n

Description

\n

dropdb destroys an existing PostgreSQL database. The user who executes this command must be a database superuser or the owner of the database.

\n

dropdb is a wrapper around the SQL command DROP DATABASE. There is no effective difference between dropping databases via this utility and via other methods for accessing the server.

\n
\n
\n

Options

\n

dropdb accepts the following command-line arguments:

\n
\n
\n
dbname
\n
\n

Specifies the name of the database to be removed.

\n
\n
-e
--echo
\n
\n

Echo the commands that dropdb generates and sends to the server.

\n
\n
-i
--interactive
\n
\n

Issues a verification prompt before doing anything destructive.

\n
\n
-V
--version
\n
\n

Print the dropdb version and exit.

\n
\n
--if-exists
\n
\n

Do not throw an error if the database does not exist. A notice is issued in this case.

\n
\n
-?
--help
\n
\n

Show help about dropdb command line arguments, and exit.

\n
\n
\n
\n

dropdb also accepts the following command-line arguments for connection parameters:

\n
\n
\n
-h host
--host=host
\n
\n

Specifies the host name of the machine on which the server is running. If the value begins with a slash, it is used as the directory for the Unix domain socket.

\n
\n
-p port
--port=port
\n
\n

Specifies the TCP port or local Unix domain socket file extension on which the server is listening for connections.

\n
\n
-U username
--username=username
\n
\n

User name to connect as.

\n
\n
-w
--no-password
\n
\n

Never issue a password prompt. If the server requires password authentication and a password is not available by other means such as a .pgpass file, the connection attempt will fail. This option can be useful in batch jobs and scripts where no user is present to enter a password.

\n
\n
-W
--password
\n
\n

Force dropdb to prompt for a password before connecting to a database.

\n

This option is never essential, since dropdb will automatically prompt for a password if the server demands password authentication. However, dropdb will waste a connection attempt finding out that the server wants a password. In some cases it is worth typing -W to avoid the extra connection attempt.

\n
\n
--maintenance-db=dbname
\n
\n

Specifies the name of the database to connect to in order to drop the target database. If not specified, the postgres database will be used; if that does not exist (or is the database being dropped), template1 will be used. This can be a connection string. If so, connection string parameters will override any conflicting command line options.

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Environment

\n
\n
\n
PGHOST
PGPORT
PGUSER
\n
\n

Default connection parameters

\n
\n
\n
\n

This utility, like most other PostgreSQL utilities, also uses the environment variables supported by libpq (see Section\u00a033.14).

\n
\n
\n

Diagnostics

\n

In case of difficulty, see DROP DATABASE and psql for discussions of potential problems and error messages. The database server must be running at the targeted host. Also, any default connection settings and environment variables used by the libpq front-end library will apply.

\n
\n
\n

Examples

\n

To destroy the database demo on the default database server:

\n
$ dropdb demo\n
\n

To destroy the database demo using the server on host eden, port 5000, with verification and a peek at the underlying command:

\n
$ dropdb -p 5000 -h eden -i -e demo\nDatabase \"demo\" will be permanently deleted.\nAre you sure? (y/n) y\nDROP DATABASE demo;\n
\n
\n

See Also

\ncreatedb, DROP DATABASE
\n
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\n
\n
\n

dropdb

\n

dropdb \u2014 remove a PostgreSQL database

\n
\n
\n

Synopsis

\n
\n

dropdb [connection-option...] [option...] dbname

\n
\n
\n
\n

Description

\n

dropdb destroys an existing PostgreSQL database. The user who executes this command must be a database superuser or the owner of the database.

\n

dropdb is a wrapper around the SQL command DROP DATABASE. There is no effective difference between dropping databases via this utility and via other methods for accessing the server.

\n
\n
\n

Options

\n

dropdb accepts the following command-line arguments:

\n
\n
\n
dbname
\n
\n

Specifies the name of the database to be removed.

\n
\n
-e
--echo
\n
\n

Echo the commands that dropdb generates and sends to the server.

\n
\n
-i
--interactive
\n
\n

Issues a verification prompt before doing anything destructive.

\n
\n
-V
--version
\n
\n

Print the dropdb version and exit.

\n
\n
--if-exists
\n
\n

Do not throw an error if the database does not exist. A notice is issued in this case.

\n
\n
-?
--help
\n
\n

Show help about dropdb command line arguments, and exit.

\n
\n
\n
\n

dropdb also accepts the following command-line arguments for connection parameters:

\n
\n
\n
-h host
--host=host
\n
\n

Specifies the host name of the machine on which the server is running. If the value begins with a slash, it is used as the directory for the Unix domain socket.

\n
\n
-p port
--port=port
\n
\n

Specifies the TCP port or local Unix domain socket file extension on which the server is listening for connections.

\n
\n
-U username
--username=username
\n
\n

User name to connect as.

\n
\n
-w
--no-password
\n
\n

Never issue a password prompt. If the server requires password authentication and a password is not available by other means such as a .pgpass file, the connection attempt will fail. This option can be useful in batch jobs and scripts where no user is present to enter a password.

\n
\n
-W
--password
\n
\n

Force dropdb to prompt for a password before connecting to a database.

\n

This option is never essential, since dropdb will automatically prompt for a password if the server demands password authentication. However, dropdb will waste a connection attempt finding out that the server wants a password. In some cases it is worth typing -W to avoid the extra connection attempt.

\n
\n
--maintenance-db=dbname
\n
\n

Specifies the name of the database to connect to in order to drop the target database. If not specified, the postgres database will be used; if that does not exist (or is the database being dropped), template1 will be used. This can be a connection string. If so, connection string parameters will override any conflicting command line options.

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Environment

\n
\n
\n
PGHOST
PGPORT
PGUSER
\n
\n

Default connection parameters

\n
\n
\n
\n

This utility, like most other PostgreSQL utilities, also uses the environment variables supported by libpq (see Section\u00a034.14).

\n
\n
\n

Diagnostics

\n

In case of difficulty, see DROP DATABASE and psql for discussions of potential problems and error messages. The database server must be running at the targeted host. Also, any default connection settings and environment variables used by the libpq front-end library will apply.

\n
\n
\n

Examples

\n

To destroy the database demo on the default database server:

\n
$ dropdb demo\n
\n

To destroy the database demo using the server on host eden, port 5000, with verification and a peek at the underlying command:

\n
$ dropdb -p 5000 -h eden -i -e demo\nDatabase \"demo\" will be permanently deleted.\nAre you sure? (y/n) y\nDROP DATABASE demo;\n
\n
\n
\n

See Also

createdb, DROP DATABASE\n
\n
", "manual_path": "app-dropdb.html", "comparison_data": {"options": [{"names": ["-e", "--echo"], "signature": "-e --echo", "description": "Echo the commands that dropdb generates and sends to the server."}, {"names": ["-i", "--interactive"], "signature": "-i --interactive", "description": "Issues a verification prompt before doing anything destructive."}, {"names": ["-V", "--version"], "signature": "-V --version", "description": "Print the dropdb version and exit."}, {"names": ["--if-exists"], "signature": "--if-exists", "description": "Do not throw an error if the database does not exist. A notice is issued in this case."}, {"names": ["-?", "--help"], "signature": "-? --help", "description": "Show help about dropdb command line arguments, and exit."}, {"names": ["-h host", "--host= host"], "signature": "-h host --host= host", "description": "Specifies the host name of the machine on which the server is running. 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A notice is issued in this case.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/12/app-dropdb.html", "text": "--if-exists"}}, {"summary": "Show help about dropdb command line arguments, and exit.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/12/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-? --help"}}, {"summary": "Specifies the host name of the machine on which the server is running. If the value begins with a slash, it is used as the directory for the Unix domain socket.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/12/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-h host --host= host"}}, {"summary": "Specifies the TCP port or local Unix domain socket file extension on which the server is listening for connections.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/12/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-p port --port= port"}}, {"summary": "User name to connect as.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/12/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-U username --username= username"}}, {"summary": "Never issue a password prompt. If the server requires password authentication and a password is not available by other means such as a .pgpass file, the connection attempt will fail. This option can be useful in batch jobs and scripts where no user is present to enter a password.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/12/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-w --no-password"}}, {"summary": "Force dropdb to prompt for a password before connecting to a database.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/12/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-W --password"}}, {"summary": "Specifies the name of the database to connect to in order to drop the target database. If not specified, the postgres database will be used; if that does not exist (or is the database being dropped), template1 will be used. This can be a connection string . 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Possible values are always , auto and never ."}], "manual_html": "
\n
\n
\n

dropdb

\n

dropdb \u2014 remove a PostgreSQL database

\n
\n
\n

Synopsis

\n
\n

dropdb [connection-option...] [option...] dbname

\n
\n
\n
\n

Description

\n

dropdb destroys an existing PostgreSQL database. The user who executes this command must be a database superuser or the owner of the database.

\n

dropdb is a wrapper around the SQL command DROP DATABASE. There is no effective difference between dropping databases via this utility and via other methods for accessing the server.

\n
\n
\n

Options

\n

dropdb accepts the following command-line arguments:

\n
\n
\n
dbname
\n
\n

Specifies the name of the database to be removed.

\n
\n
-e
--echo
\n
\n

Echo the commands that dropdb generates and sends to the server.

\n
\n
-i
--interactive
\n
\n

Issues a verification prompt before doing anything destructive.

\n
\n
-V
--version
\n
\n

Print the dropdb version and exit.

\n
\n
--if-exists
\n
\n

Do not throw an error if the database does not exist. A notice is issued in this case.

\n
\n
-?
--help
\n
\n

Show help about dropdb command line arguments, and exit.

\n
\n
\n
\n

dropdb also accepts the following command-line arguments for connection parameters:

\n
\n
\n
-h host
--host=host
\n
\n

Specifies the host name of the machine on which the server is running. If the value begins with a slash, it is used as the directory for the Unix domain socket.

\n
\n
-p port
--port=port
\n
\n

Specifies the TCP port or local Unix domain socket file extension on which the server is listening for connections.

\n
\n
-U username
--username=username
\n
\n

User name to connect as.

\n
\n
-w
--no-password
\n
\n

Never issue a password prompt. If the server requires password authentication and a password is not available by other means such as a .pgpass file, the connection attempt will fail. This option can be useful in batch jobs and scripts where no user is present to enter a password.

\n
\n
-W
--password
\n
\n

Force dropdb to prompt for a password before connecting to a database.

\n

This option is never essential, since dropdb will automatically prompt for a password if the server demands password authentication. However, dropdb will waste a connection attempt finding out that the server wants a password. In some cases it is worth typing -W to avoid the extra connection attempt.

\n
\n
--maintenance-db=dbname
\n
\n

Specifies the name of the database to connect to in order to drop the target database. If not specified, the postgres database will be used; if that does not exist (or is the database being dropped), template1 will be used. This can be a connection string. If so, connection string parameters will override any conflicting command line options.

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Environment

\n
\n
\n
PGHOST
PGPORT
PGUSER
\n
\n

Default connection parameters

\n
\n
PG_COLOR
\n
\n

Specifies whether to use color in diagnostic messages. Possible values are always, auto and never.

\n
\n
\n
\n

This utility, like most other PostgreSQL utilities, also uses the environment variables supported by libpq (see Section\u00a033.14).

\n
\n
\n

Diagnostics

\n

In case of difficulty, see DROP DATABASE and psql for discussions of potential problems and error messages. The database server must be running at the targeted host. Also, any default connection settings and environment variables used by the libpq front-end library will apply.

\n
\n
\n

Examples

\n

To destroy the database demo on the default database server:

\n
$ dropdb demo\n
\n

To destroy the database demo using the server on host eden, port 5000, with verification and a peek at the underlying command:

\n
$ dropdb -p 5000 -h eden -i -e demo\nDatabase \"demo\" will be permanently deleted.\nAre you sure? (y/n) y\nDROP DATABASE demo;\n
\n
\n
\n

See Also

createdb, DROP DATABASE\n
\n
", "manual_path": "app-dropdb.html", "comparison_data": {"options": [{"names": ["-e", "--echo"], "signature": "-e --echo", "description": "Echo the commands that dropdb generates and sends to the server."}, {"names": ["-i", "--interactive"], "signature": "-i --interactive", "description": "Issues a verification prompt before doing anything destructive."}, {"names": ["-V", "--version"], "signature": "-V --version", "description": "Print the dropdb version and exit."}, {"names": ["--if-exists"], "signature": "--if-exists", "description": "Do not throw an error if the database does not exist. A notice is issued in this case."}, {"names": ["-?", "--help"], "signature": "-? --help", "description": "Show help about dropdb command line arguments, and exit."}, {"names": ["-h host", "--host= host"], "signature": "-h host --host= host", "description": "Specifies the host name of the machine on which the server is running. 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See DROP DATABASE for more information on this option."}, {"names": ["-i", "--interactive"], "summary": "Issues a verification prompt before doing anything destructive.", "signature": "-i --interactive", "source_url": "/docs/13/app-dropdb.html", "description": "Issues a verification prompt before doing anything destructive."}, {"names": ["-V", "--version"], "summary": "Print the dropdb version and exit.", "signature": "-V --version", "source_url": "/docs/13/app-dropdb.html", "description": "Print the dropdb version and exit."}, {"names": ["--if-exists"], "summary": "Do not throw an error if the database does not exist. A notice is issued in this case.", "signature": "--if-exists", "source_url": "/docs/13/app-dropdb.html", "description": "Do not throw an error if the database does not exist. A notice is issued in this case."}, {"names": ["-?", "--help"], "summary": "Show help about dropdb command line arguments, and exit.", "signature": "-? --help", "source_url": "/docs/13/app-dropdb.html", "description": "Show help about dropdb command line arguments, and exit."}, {"names": ["-h host", "--host= host"], "summary": "Specifies the host name of the machine on which the server is running. If the value begins with a slash, it is used as the directory for the Unix domain socket.", "signature": "-h host --host= host", "source_url": "/docs/13/app-dropdb.html", "description": "Specifies the host name of the machine on which the server is running. If the value begins with a slash, it is used as the directory for the Unix domain socket."}, {"names": ["-p port", "--port= port"], "summary": "Specifies the TCP port or local Unix domain socket file extension on which the server is listening for connections.", "signature": "-p port --port= port", "source_url": "/docs/13/app-dropdb.html", "description": "Specifies the TCP port or local Unix domain socket file extension on which the server is listening for connections."}, {"names": ["-U username", "--username= username"], "summary": "User name to connect as.", "signature": "-U username --username= username", "source_url": "/docs/13/app-dropdb.html", "description": "User name to connect as."}, {"names": ["-w", "--no-password"], "summary": "Never issue a password prompt. If the server requires password authentication and a password is not available by other means such as a .pgpass file, the connection attempt will fail. This option can be useful in batch jobs and scripts where no user is present to enter a password.", "signature": "-w --no-password", "source_url": "/docs/13/app-dropdb.html", "description": "Never issue a password prompt. If the server requires password authentication and a password is not available by other means such as a .pgpass file, the connection attempt will fail. This option can be useful in batch jobs and scripts where no user is present to enter a password."}, {"names": ["-W", "--password"], "summary": "Force dropdb to prompt for a password before connecting to a database.", "signature": "-W --password", "source_url": "/docs/13/app-dropdb.html", "description": "Force dropdb to prompt for a password before connecting to a database. This option is never essential, since dropdb will automatically prompt for a password if the server demands password authentication. However, dropdb will waste a connection attempt finding out that the server wants a password. In some cases it is worth typing -W to avoid the extra connection attempt."}, {"names": ["--maintenance-db= dbname"], "summary": "Specifies the name of the database to connect to in order to drop the target database. If not specified, the postgres database will be used; if that does not exist (or is the database being dropped), template1 will be used. This can be a connection string . If so, connection string parameters will override any conflicting command line options.", "signature": "--maintenance-db= dbname", "source_url": "/docs/13/app-dropdb.html", "description": "Specifies the name of the database to connect to in order to drop the target database. If not specified, the postgres database will be used; if that does not exist (or is the database being dropped), template1 will be used. This can be a connection string . If so, connection string parameters will override any conflicting command line options."}], "related": [], "release": {"ref": "https://ftp.postgresql.org/pub/source/v13.23/postgresql-13.23.tar.bz2", "label": "13.23", "major": "13", "channel": "historical", "manifest": {"pdf": {"A4": {"url": "/files/documentation/pdf/13/postgresql-13-A4.pdf", "bytes": 13843239, "pages": 2826, "sha256": "171cc09f90936dbc1cbd503a98ff07ae72ea58ab9771ff051313f1217737799c", "built_at": "2026-09-26"}, "US": {"url": "/files/documentation/pdf/13/postgresql-13-US.pdf", "bytes": 13739572, "pages": 2984, "sha256": "48d09c6e197d9db4220f41afe83efe848a8661b1b168d3b89419751ecaf6c24d", "built_at": "2026-09-26"}}, "tree": "13", "index": "index.html", "major": "13", "pages": 1139, "release": "13.23", "source_url": "https://ftp.postgresql.org/pub/source/v13.23/postgresql-13.23.tar.bz2", "svg_assets": 3, "source_mode": "en HTML verified against the pinned official archive", "source_sha256": "6ec3c82726af92b7dec873fa1cdf881eca92a4219787dfad05acb6b10e041fd6"}, "revision": "614ee3133270254e476c118cdf6f72af78d4e4b8bbd9b28ed9ab1e14e4e9c0f6", "evidence_kind": "English manual and source declarations", "source_sha256": "6ec3c82726af92b7dec873fa1cdf881eca92a4219787dfad05acb6b10e041fd6"}, "sources": [{"url": "/docs/13/app-dropdb.html", "file": "app-dropdb.html", "label": "13.23 English manual \u00b7 app-dropdb.html", "anchor": "", "sha256": "fb5847b2c6a257c62daf42d2c57e6752516cc9e67d7b0131078b097a4ffb50f3"}, {"url": "/docs/13/reference-client.html", "file": "reference-client.html", "label": "Client applications inventory", "anchor": "", "sha256": "2a16c2982d9803edd4bd6920f76b66083e7f2959182d6a3bcec7ccfbac0a9ad8"}], "sections": [], "synopsis": ["dropdb [ connection-option ...] [ option ...] dbname"], "signature": "dropdb [ connection-option ...] [ option ...] dbname", "description": ["dropdb \u2014 remove a PostgreSQL database"], "environment": [{"name": "PGHOST PGPORT PGUSER", "description": "Default connection parameters"}, {"name": "PG_COLOR", "description": "Specifies whether to use color in diagnostic messages. Possible values are always , auto and never ."}], "manual_html": "
\n
\n
\n

dropdb

\n

dropdb \u2014 remove a PostgreSQL database

\n
\n
\n

Synopsis

\n
\n

dropdb [connection-option...] [option...] dbname

\n
\n
\n
\n

Description

\n

dropdb destroys an existing PostgreSQL database. The user who executes this command must be a database superuser or the owner of the database.

\n

dropdb is a wrapper around the SQL command DROP DATABASE. There is no effective difference between dropping databases via this utility and via other methods for accessing the server.

\n
\n
\n

Options

\n

dropdb accepts the following command-line arguments:

\n
\n
\n
dbname
\n
\n

Specifies the name of the database to be removed.

\n
\n
-e
--echo
\n
\n

Echo the commands that dropdb generates and sends to the server.

\n
\n
-f
--force
\n
\n

Attempt to terminate all existing connections to the target database before dropping it. See DROP DATABASE for more information on this option.

\n
\n
-i
--interactive
\n
\n

Issues a verification prompt before doing anything destructive.

\n
\n
-V
--version
\n
\n

Print the dropdb version and exit.

\n
\n
--if-exists
\n
\n

Do not throw an error if the database does not exist. A notice is issued in this case.

\n
\n
-?
--help
\n
\n

Show help about dropdb command line arguments, and exit.

\n
\n
\n
\n

dropdb also accepts the following command-line arguments for connection parameters:

\n
\n
\n
-h host
--host=host
\n
\n

Specifies the host name of the machine on which the server is running. If the value begins with a slash, it is used as the directory for the Unix domain socket.

\n
\n
-p port
--port=port
\n
\n

Specifies the TCP port or local Unix domain socket file extension on which the server is listening for connections.

\n
\n
-U username
--username=username
\n
\n

User name to connect as.

\n
\n
-w
--no-password
\n
\n

Never issue a password prompt. If the server requires password authentication and a password is not available by other means such as a .pgpass file, the connection attempt will fail. This option can be useful in batch jobs and scripts where no user is present to enter a password.

\n
\n
-W
--password
\n
\n

Force dropdb to prompt for a password before connecting to a database.

\n

This option is never essential, since dropdb will automatically prompt for a password if the server demands password authentication. However, dropdb will waste a connection attempt finding out that the server wants a password. In some cases it is worth typing -W to avoid the extra connection attempt.

\n
\n
--maintenance-db=dbname
\n
\n

Specifies the name of the database to connect to in order to drop the target database. If not specified, the postgres database will be used; if that does not exist (or is the database being dropped), template1 will be used. This can be a connection string. If so, connection string parameters will override any conflicting command line options.

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Environment

\n
\n
\n
PGHOST
PGPORT
PGUSER
\n
\n

Default connection parameters

\n
\n
PG_COLOR
\n
\n

Specifies whether to use color in diagnostic messages. Possible values are always, auto and never.

\n
\n
\n
\n

This utility, like most other PostgreSQL utilities, also uses the environment variables supported by libpq (see Section\u00a033.14).

\n
\n
\n

Diagnostics

\n

In case of difficulty, see DROP DATABASE and psql for discussions of potential problems and error messages. The database server must be running at the targeted host. Also, any default connection settings and environment variables used by the libpq front-end library will apply.

\n
\n
\n

Examples

\n

To destroy the database demo on the default database server:

\n
$ dropdb demo\n
\n

To destroy the database demo using the server on host eden, port 5000, with verification and a peek at the underlying command:

\n
$ dropdb -p 5000 -h eden -i -e demo\nDatabase \"demo\" will be permanently deleted.\nAre you sure? (y/n) y\nDROP DATABASE demo;\n
\n
\n
\n

See Also

createdb, DROP DATABASE\n
\n
", "manual_path": "app-dropdb.html", "comparison_data": {"options": [{"names": ["-e", "--echo"], "signature": "-e --echo", "description": "Echo the commands that dropdb generates and sends to the server."}, {"names": ["-f", "--force"], "signature": "-f --force", "description": "Attempt to terminate all existing connections to the target database before dropping it. See DROP DATABASE for more information on this option."}, {"names": ["-i", "--interactive"], "signature": "-i --interactive", "description": "Issues a verification prompt before doing anything destructive."}, {"names": ["-V", "--version"], "signature": "-V --version", "description": "Print the dropdb version and exit."}, {"names": ["--if-exists"], "signature": "--if-exists", "description": "Do not throw an error if the database does not exist. 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See DROP DATABASE for more information on this option.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/14/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-f --force"}}, {"summary": "Issues a verification prompt before doing anything destructive.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/14/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-i --interactive"}}, {"summary": "Print the dropdb version and exit.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/14/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-V --version"}}, {"summary": "Do not throw an error if the database does not exist. A notice is issued in this case.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/14/app-dropdb.html", "text": "--if-exists"}}, {"summary": "Show help about dropdb command line arguments, and exit.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/14/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-? --help"}}, {"summary": "Specifies the host name of the machine on which the server is running. If the value begins with a slash, it is used as the directory for the Unix domain socket.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/14/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-h host --host= host"}}, {"summary": "Specifies the TCP port or local Unix domain socket file extension on which the server is listening for connections.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/14/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-p port --port= port"}}, {"summary": "User name to connect as.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/14/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-U username --username= username"}}, {"summary": "Never issue a password prompt. If the server requires password authentication and a password is not available by other means such as a .pgpass file, the connection attempt will fail. This option can be useful in batch jobs and scripts where no user is present to enter a password.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/14/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-w --no-password"}}, {"summary": "Force dropdb to prompt for a password before connecting to a database.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/14/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-W --password"}}, {"summary": "Specifies the name of the database to connect to in order to drop the target database. If not specified, the postgres database will be used; if that does not exist (or is the database being dropped), template1 will be used. This can be a connection string . If so, connection string parameters will override any conflicting command line options.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/14/app-dropdb.html", "text": "--maintenance-db= dbname"}}], "title": "Documented options", "columns": [{"key": "signature", "label": "Option and arguments"}, {"key": "summary", "label": "Description"}]}, {"key": "environment", "rows": [{"name": "PGHOST PGPORT PGUSER", "description": "Default connection parameters"}, {"name": "PG_COLOR", "description": "Specifies whether to use color in diagnostic messages. 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If the value begins with a slash, it is used as the directory for the Unix domain socket."}, {"names": ["-p port", "--port= port"], "summary": "Specifies the TCP port or local Unix domain socket file extension on which the server is listening for connections.", "signature": "-p port --port= port", "source_url": "/docs/14/app-dropdb.html", "description": "Specifies the TCP port or local Unix domain socket file extension on which the server is listening for connections."}, {"names": ["-U username", "--username= username"], "summary": "User name to connect as.", "signature": "-U username --username= username", "source_url": "/docs/14/app-dropdb.html", "description": "User name to connect as."}, {"names": ["-w", "--no-password"], "summary": "Never issue a password prompt. If the server requires password authentication and a password is not available by other means such as a .pgpass file, the connection attempt will fail. 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In some cases it is worth typing -W to avoid the extra connection attempt."}, {"names": ["--maintenance-db= dbname"], "summary": "Specifies the name of the database to connect to in order to drop the target database. If not specified, the postgres database will be used; if that does not exist (or is the database being dropped), template1 will be used. This can be a connection string . If so, connection string parameters will override any conflicting command line options.", "signature": "--maintenance-db= dbname", "source_url": "/docs/14/app-dropdb.html", "description": "Specifies the name of the database to connect to in order to drop the target database. If not specified, the postgres database will be used; if that does not exist (or is the database being dropped), template1 will be used. This can be a connection string . 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Possible values are always , auto and never ."}], "manual_html": "
\n
\n
\n

dropdb

\n

dropdb \u2014 remove a PostgreSQL database

\n
\n
\n

Synopsis

\n
\n

dropdb [connection-option...] [option...] dbname

\n
\n
\n
\n

Description

\n

dropdb destroys an existing PostgreSQL database. The user who executes this command must be a database superuser or the owner of the database.

\n

dropdb is a wrapper around the SQL command DROP DATABASE. There is no effective difference between dropping databases via this utility and via other methods for accessing the server.

\n
\n
\n

Options

\n

dropdb accepts the following command-line arguments:

\n
\n
\n
dbname
\n
\n

Specifies the name of the database to be removed.

\n
\n
-e
--echo
\n
\n

Echo the commands that dropdb generates and sends to the server.

\n
\n
-f
--force
\n
\n

Attempt to terminate all existing connections to the target database before dropping it. See DROP DATABASE for more information on this option.

\n
\n
-i
--interactive
\n
\n

Issues a verification prompt before doing anything destructive.

\n
\n
-V
--version
\n
\n

Print the dropdb version and exit.

\n
\n
--if-exists
\n
\n

Do not throw an error if the database does not exist. A notice is issued in this case.

\n
\n
-?
--help
\n
\n

Show help about dropdb command line arguments, and exit.

\n
\n
\n
\n

dropdb also accepts the following command-line arguments for connection parameters:

\n
\n
\n
-h host
--host=host
\n
\n

Specifies the host name of the machine on which the server is running. If the value begins with a slash, it is used as the directory for the Unix domain socket.

\n
\n
-p port
--port=port
\n
\n

Specifies the TCP port or local Unix domain socket file extension on which the server is listening for connections.

\n
\n
-U username
--username=username
\n
\n

User name to connect as.

\n
\n
-w
--no-password
\n
\n

Never issue a password prompt. If the server requires password authentication and a password is not available by other means such as a .pgpass file, the connection attempt will fail. This option can be useful in batch jobs and scripts where no user is present to enter a password.

\n
\n
-W
--password
\n
\n

Force dropdb to prompt for a password before connecting to a database.

\n

This option is never essential, since dropdb will automatically prompt for a password if the server demands password authentication. However, dropdb will waste a connection attempt finding out that the server wants a password. In some cases it is worth typing -W to avoid the extra connection attempt.

\n
\n
--maintenance-db=dbname
\n
\n

Specifies the name of the database to connect to in order to drop the target database. If not specified, the postgres database will be used; if that does not exist (or is the database being dropped), template1 will be used. This can be a connection string. If so, connection string parameters will override any conflicting command line options.

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Environment

\n
\n
\n
PGHOST
PGPORT
PGUSER
\n
\n

Default connection parameters

\n
\n
PG_COLOR
\n
\n

Specifies whether to use color in diagnostic messages. Possible values are always, auto and never.

\n
\n
\n
\n

This utility, like most other PostgreSQL utilities, also uses the environment variables supported by libpq (see Section\u00a034.15).

\n
\n
\n

Diagnostics

\n

In case of difficulty, see DROP DATABASE and psql for discussions of potential problems and error messages. The database server must be running at the targeted host. Also, any default connection settings and environment variables used by the libpq front-end library will apply.

\n
\n
\n

Examples

\n

To destroy the database demo on the default database server:

\n
$ dropdb demo\n
\n

To destroy the database demo using the server on host eden, port 5000, with verification and a peek at the underlying command:

\n
$ dropdb -p 5000 -h eden -i -e demo\nDatabase \"demo\" will be permanently deleted.\nAre you sure? (y/n) y\nDROP DATABASE demo;\n
\n
\n
\n

See Also

createdb, DROP DATABASE\n
\n
", "manual_path": "app-dropdb.html", "comparison_data": {"options": [{"names": ["-e", "--echo"], "signature": "-e --echo", "description": "Echo the commands that dropdb generates and sends to the server."}, {"names": ["-f", "--force"], "signature": "-f --force", "description": "Attempt to terminate all existing connections to the target database before dropping it. See DROP DATABASE for more information on this option."}, {"names": ["-i", "--interactive"], "signature": "-i --interactive", "description": "Issues a verification prompt before doing anything destructive."}, {"names": ["-V", "--version"], "signature": "-V --version", "description": "Print the dropdb version and exit."}, {"names": ["--if-exists"], "signature": "--if-exists", "description": "Do not throw an error if the database does not exist. 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\n
\n
\n

dropdb

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dropdb \u2014 remove a PostgreSQL database

\n
\n
\n

Synopsis

\n
\n

dropdb [connection-option...] [option...] dbname

\n
\n
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Description

\n

dropdb destroys an existing PostgreSQL database. The user who executes this command must be a database superuser or the owner of the database.

\n

dropdb is a wrapper around the SQL command DROP DATABASE. There is no effective difference between dropping databases via this utility and via other methods for accessing the server.

\n
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Options

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dropdb accepts the following command-line arguments:

\n
\n
\n
dbname
\n
\n

Specifies the name of the database to be removed.

\n
\n
-e
--echo
\n
\n

Echo the commands that dropdb generates and sends to the server.

\n
\n
-f
--force
\n
\n

Attempt to terminate all existing connections to the target database before dropping it. See DROP DATABASE for more information on this option.

\n
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-i
--interactive
\n
\n

Issues a verification prompt before doing anything destructive.

\n
\n
-V
--version
\n
\n

Print the dropdb version and exit.

\n
\n
--if-exists
\n
\n

Do not throw an error if the database does not exist. A notice is issued in this case.

\n
\n
-?
--help
\n
\n

Show help about dropdb command line arguments, and exit.

\n
\n
\n
\n

dropdb also accepts the following command-line arguments for connection parameters:

\n
\n
\n
-h host
--host=host
\n
\n

Specifies the host name of the machine on which the server is running. If the value begins with a slash, it is used as the directory for the Unix domain socket.

\n
\n
-p port
--port=port
\n
\n

Specifies the TCP port or local Unix domain socket file extension on which the server is listening for connections.

\n
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-U username
--username=username
\n
\n

User name to connect as.

\n
\n
-w
--no-password
\n
\n

Never issue a password prompt. If the server requires password authentication and a password is not available by other means such as a .pgpass file, the connection attempt will fail. This option can be useful in batch jobs and scripts where no user is present to enter a password.

\n
\n
-W
--password
\n
\n

Force dropdb to prompt for a password before connecting to a database.

\n

This option is never essential, since dropdb will automatically prompt for a password if the server demands password authentication. However, dropdb will waste a connection attempt finding out that the server wants a password. In some cases it is worth typing -W to avoid the extra connection attempt.

\n
\n
--maintenance-db=dbname
\n
\n

Specifies the name of the database to connect to in order to drop the target database. If not specified, the postgres database will be used; if that does not exist (or is the database being dropped), template1 will be used. This can be a connection string. If so, connection string parameters will override any conflicting command line options.

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
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Environment

\n
\n
\n
PGHOST
PGPORT
PGUSER
\n
\n

Default connection parameters

\n
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PG_COLOR
\n
\n

Specifies whether to use color in diagnostic messages. Possible values are always, auto and never.

\n
\n
\n
\n

This utility, like most other PostgreSQL utilities, also uses the environment variables supported by libpq (see Section\u00a034.15).

\n
\n
\n

Diagnostics

\n

In case of difficulty, see DROP DATABASE and psql for discussions of potential problems and error messages. The database server must be running at the targeted host. Also, any default connection settings and environment variables used by the libpq front-end library will apply.

\n
\n
\n

Examples

\n

To destroy the database demo on the default database server:

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$ dropdb demo\n
\n

To destroy the database demo using the server on host eden, port 5000, with verification and a peek at the underlying command:

\n
$ dropdb -p 5000 -h eden -i -e demo\nDatabase \"demo\" will be permanently deleted.\nAre you sure? (y/n) y\nDROP DATABASE demo;\n
\n
\n
\n

See Also

createdb, DROP DATABASE\n
\n
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If so, connection string parameters will override any conflicting command line options."}], "related": [], "release": {"ref": "https://ftp.postgresql.org/pub/source/v16.15/postgresql-16.15.tar.bz2", "label": "16.15", "major": "16", "channel": "stable", "manifest": {"pdf": {"A4": {"url": "/files/documentation/pdf/16/postgresql-16-A4.pdf", "bytes": 15282337, "pages": 3055, "sha256": "4bb6c1f63deedac98736d8c4c7bc0fad0ac24e85b07e21ee10411872f06afd06", "built_at": "2026-09-26"}, "US": {"url": "/files/documentation/pdf/16/postgresql-16-US.pdf", "bytes": 15164148, "pages": 3220, "sha256": "5b6b6166c89991199e144bb0ae34c17a5f29826251dbf19db1abc0df3a3e771b", "built_at": "2026-09-26"}}, "tree": "16", "index": "index.html", "major": "16", "pages": 1169, "release": "16.15", "source_url": "https://ftp.postgresql.org/pub/source/v16.15/postgresql-16.15.tar.bz2", "svg_assets": 3, "source_mode": "en HTML verified against the pinned official archive", "source_sha256": "c1575341fa7bd40f5274ea465b34390f4dc64cdd0770af327005caaeb9f6b7ed"}, "revision": "3c21e58b35318021716440e67bb8bafd392b6a2b965a244d90e9e33c99e0bdef", "evidence_kind": "English manual and source declarations", "source_sha256": "c1575341fa7bd40f5274ea465b34390f4dc64cdd0770af327005caaeb9f6b7ed"}, "sources": [{"url": "/docs/16/app-dropdb.html", "file": "app-dropdb.html", "label": "16.15 English manual \u00b7 app-dropdb.html", "anchor": "", "sha256": "99ca7a4c52c33fd0b86977c272540798c997974475d67ee421da487b74fbcd59"}, {"url": "/docs/16/reference-client.html", "file": "reference-client.html", "label": "Client applications inventory", "anchor": "", "sha256": "a28c30c3c0f8783e16d56413a0b6fd39487e336da1683b29b60abf1c229cef26"}], "sections": [], "synopsis": ["dropdb [ connection-option ...] [ option ...] dbname"], "signature": "dropdb [ connection-option ...] [ option ...] dbname", "description": ["dropdb \u2014 remove a PostgreSQL database"], "environment": [{"name": "PGHOST PGPORT PGUSER", "description": "Default connection parameters"}, {"name": "PG_COLOR", "description": "Specifies whether to use color in diagnostic messages. Possible values are always , auto and never ."}], "manual_html": "
\n
\n
\n

dropdb

\n

dropdb \u2014 remove a PostgreSQL database

\n
\n
\n

Synopsis

\n
\n

dropdb [connection-option...] [option...] dbname

\n
\n
\n
\n

Description

\n

dropdb destroys an existing PostgreSQL database. The user who executes this command must be a database superuser or the owner of the database.

\n

dropdb is a wrapper around the SQL command DROP DATABASE. There is no effective difference between dropping databases via this utility and via other methods for accessing the server.

\n
\n
\n

Options

\n

dropdb accepts the following command-line arguments:

\n
\n
\n
dbname
\n
\n

Specifies the name of the database to be removed.

\n
\n
-e
--echo
\n
\n

Echo the commands that dropdb generates and sends to the server.

\n
\n
-f
--force
\n
\n

Attempt to terminate all existing connections to the target database before dropping it. See DROP DATABASE for more information on this option.

\n
\n
-i
--interactive
\n
\n

Issues a verification prompt before doing anything destructive.

\n
\n
-V
--version
\n
\n

Print the dropdb version and exit.

\n
\n
--if-exists
\n
\n

Do not throw an error if the database does not exist. A notice is issued in this case.

\n
\n
-?
--help
\n
\n

Show help about dropdb command line arguments, and exit.

\n
\n
\n
\n

dropdb also accepts the following command-line arguments for connection parameters:

\n
\n
\n
-h host
--host=host
\n
\n

Specifies the host name of the machine on which the server is running. If the value begins with a slash, it is used as the directory for the Unix domain socket.

\n
\n
-p port
--port=port
\n
\n

Specifies the TCP port or local Unix domain socket file extension on which the server is listening for connections.

\n
\n
-U username
--username=username
\n
\n

User name to connect as.

\n
\n
-w
--no-password
\n
\n

Never issue a password prompt. If the server requires password authentication and a password is not available by other means such as a .pgpass file, the connection attempt will fail. This option can be useful in batch jobs and scripts where no user is present to enter a password.

\n
\n
-W
--password
\n
\n

Force dropdb to prompt for a password before connecting to a database.

\n

This option is never essential, since dropdb will automatically prompt for a password if the server demands password authentication. However, dropdb will waste a connection attempt finding out that the server wants a password. In some cases it is worth typing -W to avoid the extra connection attempt.

\n
\n
--maintenance-db=dbname
\n
\n

Specifies the name of the database to connect to in order to drop the target database. If not specified, the postgres database will be used; if that does not exist (or is the database being dropped), template1 will be used. This can be a connection string. If so, connection string parameters will override any conflicting command line options.

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Environment

\n
\n
\n
PGHOST
PGPORT
PGUSER
\n
\n

Default connection parameters

\n
\n
PG_COLOR
\n
\n

Specifies whether to use color in diagnostic messages. Possible values are always, auto and never.

\n
\n
\n
\n

This utility, like most other PostgreSQL utilities, also uses the environment variables supported by libpq (see Section\u00a034.15).

\n
\n
\n

Diagnostics

\n

In case of difficulty, see DROP DATABASE and psql for discussions of potential problems and error messages. The database server must be running at the targeted host. Also, any default connection settings and environment variables used by the libpq front-end library will apply.

\n
\n
\n

Examples

\n

To destroy the database demo on the default database server:

\n
$ dropdb demo\n
\n

To destroy the database demo using the server on host eden, port 5000, with verification and a peek at the underlying command:

\n
$ dropdb -p 5000 -h eden -i -e demo\nDatabase \"demo\" will be permanently deleted.\nAre you sure? (y/n) y\nDROP DATABASE demo;\n
\n
\n
\n

See Also

createdb, DROP DATABASE\n
\n
", "manual_path": "app-dropdb.html", "comparison_data": {"options": [{"names": ["-e", "--echo"], "signature": "-e --echo", "description": "Echo the commands that dropdb generates and sends to the server."}, {"names": ["-f", "--force"], "signature": "-f --force", "description": "Attempt to terminate all existing connections to the target database before dropping it. See DROP DATABASE for more information on this option."}, {"names": ["-i", "--interactive"], "signature": "-i --interactive", "description": "Issues a verification prompt before doing anything destructive."}, {"names": ["-V", "--version"], "signature": "-V --version", "description": "Print the dropdb version and exit."}, {"names": ["--if-exists"], "signature": "--if-exists", "description": "Do not throw an error if the database does not exist. 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See DROP DATABASE for more information on this option.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/17/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-f --force"}}, {"summary": "Issues a verification prompt before doing anything destructive.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/17/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-i --interactive"}}, {"summary": "Print the dropdb version and exit.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/17/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-V --version"}}, {"summary": "Do not throw an error if the database does not exist. A notice is issued in this case.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/17/app-dropdb.html", "text": "--if-exists"}}, {"summary": "Show help about dropdb command line arguments, and exit.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/17/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-? --help"}}, {"summary": "Specifies the host name of the machine on which the server is running. If the value begins with a slash, it is used as the directory for the Unix domain socket.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/17/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-h host --host= host"}}, {"summary": "Specifies the TCP port or local Unix domain socket file extension on which the server is listening for connections.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/17/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-p port --port= port"}}, {"summary": "User name to connect as.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/17/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-U username --username= username"}}, {"summary": "Never issue a password prompt. If the server requires password authentication and a password is not available by other means such as a .pgpass file, the connection attempt will fail. This option can be useful in batch jobs and scripts where no user is present to enter a password.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/17/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-w --no-password"}}, {"summary": "Force dropdb to prompt for a password before connecting to a database.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/17/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-W --password"}}, {"summary": "Specifies the name of the database to connect to in order to drop the target database. If not specified, the postgres database will be used; if that does not exist (or is the database being dropped), template1 will be used. This can be a connection string . If so, connection string parameters will override any conflicting command line options.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/17/app-dropdb.html", "text": "--maintenance-db= dbname"}}], "title": "Documented options", "columns": [{"key": "signature", "label": "Option and arguments"}, {"key": "summary", "label": "Description"}]}, {"key": "environment", "rows": [{"name": "PGHOST PGPORT PGUSER", "description": "Default connection parameters"}, {"name": "PG_COLOR", "description": "Specifies whether to use color in diagnostic messages. 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In some cases it is worth typing -W to avoid the extra connection attempt."}, {"names": ["--maintenance-db= dbname"], "summary": "Specifies the name of the database to connect to in order to drop the target database. If not specified, the postgres database will be used; if that does not exist (or is the database being dropped), template1 will be used. This can be a connection string . If so, connection string parameters will override any conflicting command line options.", "signature": "--maintenance-db= dbname", "source_url": "/docs/17/app-dropdb.html", "description": "Specifies the name of the database to connect to in order to drop the target database. If not specified, the postgres database will be used; if that does not exist (or is the database being dropped), template1 will be used. This can be a connection string . 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Possible values are always , auto and never ."}], "manual_html": "
\n
\n
\n

dropdb

\n

dropdb \u2014 remove a PostgreSQL database

\n
\n
\n

Synopsis

\n
\n

dropdb [connection-option...] [option...] dbname

\n
\n
\n
\n

Description

\n

dropdb destroys an existing PostgreSQL database. The user who executes this command must be a database superuser or the owner of the database.

\n

dropdb is a wrapper around the SQL command DROP DATABASE. There is no effective difference between dropping databases via this utility and via other methods for accessing the server.

\n
\n
\n

Options

\n

dropdb accepts the following command-line arguments:

\n
\n
\n
dbname
\n
\n

Specifies the name of the database to be removed.

\n
\n
-e
--echo
\n
\n

Echo the commands that dropdb generates and sends to the server.

\n
\n
-f
--force
\n
\n

Attempt to terminate all existing connections to the target database before dropping it. See DROP DATABASE for more information on this option.

\n
\n
-i
--interactive
\n
\n

Issues a verification prompt before doing anything destructive.

\n
\n
-V
--version
\n
\n

Print the dropdb version and exit.

\n
\n
--if-exists
\n
\n

Do not throw an error if the database does not exist. A notice is issued in this case.

\n
\n
-?
--help
\n
\n

Show help about dropdb command line arguments, and exit.

\n
\n
\n
\n

dropdb also accepts the following command-line arguments for connection parameters:

\n
\n
\n
-h host
--host=host
\n
\n

Specifies the host name of the machine on which the server is running. If the value begins with a slash, it is used as the directory for the Unix domain socket.

\n
\n
-p port
--port=port
\n
\n

Specifies the TCP port or local Unix domain socket file extension on which the server is listening for connections.

\n
\n
-U username
--username=username
\n
\n

User name to connect as.

\n
\n
-w
--no-password
\n
\n

Never issue a password prompt. If the server requires password authentication and a password is not available by other means such as a .pgpass file, the connection attempt will fail. This option can be useful in batch jobs and scripts where no user is present to enter a password.

\n
\n
-W
--password
\n
\n

Force dropdb to prompt for a password before connecting to a database.

\n

This option is never essential, since dropdb will automatically prompt for a password if the server demands password authentication. However, dropdb will waste a connection attempt finding out that the server wants a password. In some cases it is worth typing -W to avoid the extra connection attempt.

\n
\n
--maintenance-db=dbname
\n
\n

Specifies the name of the database to connect to in order to drop the target database. If not specified, the postgres database will be used; if that does not exist (or is the database being dropped), template1 will be used. This can be a connection string. If so, connection string parameters will override any conflicting command line options.

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Environment

\n
\n
\n
PGHOST
PGPORT
PGUSER
\n
\n

Default connection parameters

\n
\n
PG_COLOR
\n
\n

Specifies whether to use color in diagnostic messages. Possible values are always, auto and never.

\n
\n
\n
\n

This utility, like most other PostgreSQL utilities, also uses the environment variables supported by libpq (see Section\u00a032.15).

\n
\n
\n

Diagnostics

\n

In case of difficulty, see DROP DATABASE and psql for discussions of potential problems and error messages. The database server must be running at the targeted host. Also, any default connection settings and environment variables used by the libpq front-end library will apply.

\n
\n
\n

Examples

\n

To destroy the database demo on the default database server:

\n
$ dropdb demo\n
\n

To destroy the database demo using the server on host eden, port 5000, with verification and a peek at the underlying command:

\n
$ dropdb -p 5000 -h eden -i -e demo\nDatabase \"demo\" will be permanently deleted.\nAre you sure? (y/n) y\nDROP DATABASE demo;\n
\n
\n
\n

See Also

createdb, DROP DATABASE\n
\n
", "manual_path": "app-dropdb.html", "comparison_data": {"options": [{"names": ["-e", "--echo"], "signature": "-e --echo", "description": "Echo the commands that dropdb generates and sends to the server."}, {"names": ["-f", "--force"], "signature": "-f --force", "description": "Attempt to terminate all existing connections to the target database before dropping it. See DROP DATABASE for more information on this option."}, {"names": ["-i", "--interactive"], "signature": "-i --interactive", "description": "Issues a verification prompt before doing anything destructive."}, {"names": ["-V", "--version"], "signature": "-V --version", "description": "Print the dropdb version and exit."}, {"names": ["--if-exists"], "signature": "--if-exists", "description": "Do not throw an error if the database does not exist. 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\n
\n
\n

dropdb

\n

dropdb \u2014 remove a PostgreSQL database

\n
\n
\n

Synopsis

\n
\n

dropdb [connection-option...] [option...] dbname

\n
\n
\n
\n

Description

\n

dropdb destroys an existing PostgreSQL database. The user who executes this command must be a database superuser or the owner of the database.

\n

dropdb is a wrapper around the SQL command DROP DATABASE. There is no effective difference between dropping databases via this utility and via other methods for accessing the server.

\n
\n
\n

Options

\n

dropdb accepts the following command-line arguments:

\n
\n
\n
dbname
\n
\n

Specifies the name of the database to be removed.

\n
\n
-e
--echo
\n
\n

Echo the commands that dropdb generates and sends to the server.

\n
\n
-f
--force
\n
\n

Attempt to terminate all existing connections to the target database before dropping it. See DROP DATABASE for more information on this option.

\n
\n
-i
--interactive
\n
\n

Issues a verification prompt before doing anything destructive.

\n
\n
-V
--version
\n
\n

Print the dropdb version and exit.

\n
\n
--if-exists
\n
\n

Do not throw an error if the database does not exist. A notice is issued in this case.

\n
\n
-?
--help
\n
\n

Show help about dropdb command line arguments, and exit.

\n
\n
\n
\n

dropdb also accepts the following command-line arguments for connection parameters:

\n
\n
\n
-h host
--host=host
\n
\n

Specifies the host name of the machine on which the server is running. If the value begins with a slash, it is used as the directory for the Unix domain socket.

\n
\n
-p port
--port=port
\n
\n

Specifies the TCP port or local Unix domain socket file extension on which the server is listening for connections.

\n
\n
-U username
--username=username
\n
\n

User name to connect as.

\n
\n
-w
--no-password
\n
\n

Never issue a password prompt. If the server requires password authentication and a password is not available by other means such as a .pgpass file, the connection attempt will fail. This option can be useful in batch jobs and scripts where no user is present to enter a password.

\n
\n
-W
--password
\n
\n

Force dropdb to prompt for a password before connecting to a database.

\n

This option is never essential, since dropdb will automatically prompt for a password if the server demands password authentication. However, dropdb will waste a connection attempt finding out that the server wants a password. In some cases it is worth typing -W to avoid the extra connection attempt.

\n
\n
--maintenance-db=dbname
\n
\n

Specifies the name of the database to connect to in order to drop the target database. If not specified, the postgres database will be used; if that does not exist (or is the database being dropped), template1 will be used. This can be a connection string. If so, connection string parameters will override any conflicting command line options.

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Environment

\n
\n
\n
PGHOST
PGPORT
PGUSER
\n
\n

Default connection parameters

\n
\n
PG_COLOR
\n
\n

Specifies whether to use color in diagnostic messages. Possible values are always, auto and never.

\n
\n
\n
\n

This utility, like most other PostgreSQL utilities, also uses the environment variables supported by libpq (see Section\u00a032.15).

\n
\n
\n

Diagnostics

\n

In case of difficulty, see DROP DATABASE and psql for discussions of potential problems and error messages. The database server must be running at the targeted host. Also, any default connection settings and environment variables used by the libpq front-end library will apply.

\n
\n
\n

Examples

\n

To destroy the database demo on the default database server:

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$ dropdb demo\n
\n

To destroy the database demo using the server on host eden, port 5000, with verification and a peek at the underlying command:

\n
$ dropdb -p 5000 -h eden -i -e demo\nDatabase \"demo\" will be permanently deleted.\nAre you sure? (y/n) y\nDROP DATABASE demo;\n
\n
\n
\n

See Also

createdb, DROP DATABASE\n
\n
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Possible values are always , auto and never ."}], "manual_html": "
\n
\n
\n

dropdb

\n

dropdb \u2014 remove a PostgreSQL database

\n
\n
\n

Synopsis

\n
\n

dropdb [connection-option...] [option...] dbname

\n
\n
\n
\n

Description

\n

dropdb destroys an existing PostgreSQL database. The user who executes this command must be a database superuser or the owner of the database.

\n

dropdb is a wrapper around the SQL command DROP DATABASE. There is no effective difference between dropping databases via this utility and via other methods for accessing the server.

\n
\n
\n

Options

\n

dropdb accepts the following command-line arguments:

\n
\n
\n
dbname
\n
\n

Specifies the name of the database to be removed.

\n
\n
-e
--echo
\n
\n

Echo the commands that dropdb generates and sends to the server.

\n
\n
-f
--force
\n
\n

Attempt to terminate all existing connections to the target database before dropping it. See DROP DATABASE for more information on this option.

\n
\n
-i
--interactive
\n
\n

Issues a verification prompt before doing anything destructive.

\n
\n
-V
--version
\n
\n

Print the dropdb version and exit.

\n
\n
--if-exists
\n
\n

Do not throw an error if the database does not exist. A notice is issued in this case.

\n
\n
-?
--help
\n
\n

Show help about dropdb command line arguments, and exit.

\n
\n
\n
\n

dropdb also accepts the following command-line arguments for connection parameters:

\n
\n
\n
-h host
--host=host
\n
\n

Specifies the host name of the machine on which the server is running. If the value begins with a slash, it is used as the directory for the Unix domain socket.

\n
\n
-p port
--port=port
\n
\n

Specifies the TCP port or local Unix domain socket file extension on which the server is listening for connections.

\n
\n
-U username
--username=username
\n
\n

User name to connect as.

\n
\n
-w
--no-password
\n
\n

Never issue a password prompt. If the server requires password authentication and a password is not available by other means such as a .pgpass file, the connection attempt will fail. This option can be useful in batch jobs and scripts where no user is present to enter a password.

\n
\n
-W
--password
\n
\n

Force dropdb to prompt for a password before connecting to a database.

\n

This option is never essential, since dropdb will automatically prompt for a password if the server demands password authentication. However, dropdb will waste a connection attempt finding out that the server wants a password. In some cases it is worth typing -W to avoid the extra connection attempt.

\n
\n
--maintenance-db=dbname
\n
\n

Specifies the name of the database to connect to in order to drop the target database. If not specified, the postgres database will be used; if that does not exist (or is the database being dropped), template1 will be used. This can be a connection string. If so, connection string parameters will override any conflicting command line options.

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Environment

\n
\n
\n
PGHOST
PGPORT
PGUSER
\n
\n

Default connection parameters

\n
\n
PG_COLOR
\n
\n

Specifies whether to use color in diagnostic messages. Possible values are always, auto and never.

\n
\n
\n
\n

This utility, like most other PostgreSQL utilities, also uses the environment variables supported by libpq (see Section\u00a032.15).

\n
\n
\n

Diagnostics

\n

In case of difficulty, see DROP DATABASE and psql for discussions of potential problems and error messages. The database server must be running at the targeted host. Also, any default connection settings and environment variables used by the libpq front-end library will apply.

\n
\n
\n

Examples

\n

To destroy the database demo on the default database server:

\n
$ dropdb demo\n
\n

To destroy the database demo using the server on host eden, port 5000, with verification and a peek at the underlying command:

\n
$ dropdb -p 5000 -h eden -i -e demo\nDatabase \"demo\" will be permanently deleted.\nAre you sure? (y/n) y\nDROP DATABASE demo;\n
\n
\n
\n

See Also

createdb, DROP DATABASE\n
\n
", "manual_path": "app-dropdb.html", "comparison_data": {"options": [{"names": ["-e", "--echo"], "signature": "-e --echo", "description": "Echo the commands that dropdb generates and sends to the server."}, {"names": ["-f", "--force"], "signature": "-f --force", "description": "Attempt to terminate all existing connections to the target database before dropping it. See DROP DATABASE for more information on this option."}, {"names": ["-i", "--interactive"], "signature": "-i --interactive", "description": "Issues a verification prompt before doing anything destructive."}, {"names": ["-V", "--version"], "signature": "-V --version", "description": "Print the dropdb version and exit."}, {"names": ["--if-exists"], "signature": "--if-exists", "description": "Do not throw an error if the database does not exist. 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See DROP DATABASE for more information on this option.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/devel/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-f --force"}}, {"summary": "Issues a verification prompt before doing anything destructive.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/devel/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-i --interactive"}}, {"summary": "Print the dropdb version and exit.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/devel/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-V --version"}}, {"summary": "Do not throw an error if the database does not exist. A notice is issued in this case.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/devel/app-dropdb.html", "text": "--if-exists"}}, {"summary": "Show help about dropdb command line arguments, and exit.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/devel/app-dropdb.html", "text": "-? --help"}}, {"summary": "Specifies the host name of the machine on which the server is running. 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If so, connection string parameters will override any conflicting command line options.", "signature": {"url": "/docs/devel/app-dropdb.html", "text": "--maintenance-db= dbname"}}], "title": "Documented options", "columns": [{"key": "signature", "label": "Option and arguments"}, {"key": "summary", "label": "Description"}]}, {"key": "environment", "rows": [{"name": "PGHOST PGPORT PGUSER", "description": "Default connection parameters"}, {"name": "PG_COLOR", "description": "Specifies whether to use color in diagnostic messages. 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Possible values are always , auto and never ."}], "manual_html": "
\n
\n
\n

dropdb

\n

dropdb \u2014 remove a PostgreSQL database

\n
\n
\n

Synopsis

\n
\n

dropdb [connection-option...] [option...] dbname

\n
\n
\n
\n

Description

\n

dropdb destroys an existing PostgreSQL database. The user who executes this command must be a database superuser or the owner of the database.

\n

dropdb is a wrapper around the SQL command DROP DATABASE. There is no effective difference between dropping databases via this utility and via other methods for accessing the server.

\n
\n
\n

Options

\n

dropdb accepts the following command-line arguments:

\n
\n
\n
dbname
\n
\n

Specifies the name of the database to be removed.

\n
\n
-e
--echo
\n
\n

Echo the commands that dropdb generates and sends to the server.

\n
\n
-f
--force
\n
\n

Attempt to terminate all existing connections to the target database before dropping it. See DROP DATABASE for more information on this option.

\n
\n
-i
--interactive
\n
\n

Issues a verification prompt before doing anything destructive.

\n
\n
-V
--version
\n
\n

Print the dropdb version and exit.

\n
\n
--if-exists
\n
\n

Do not throw an error if the database does not exist. A notice is issued in this case.

\n
\n
-?
--help
\n
\n

Show help about dropdb command line arguments, and exit.

\n
\n
\n
\n

dropdb also accepts the following command-line arguments for connection parameters:

\n
\n
\n
-h host
--host=host
\n
\n

Specifies the host name of the machine on which the server is running. If the value begins with a slash, it is used as the directory for the Unix domain socket.

\n
\n
-p port
--port=port
\n
\n

Specifies the TCP port or local Unix domain socket file extension on which the server is listening for connections.

\n
\n
-U username
--username=username
\n
\n

User name to connect as.

\n
\n
-w
--no-password
\n
\n

Never issue a password prompt. If the server requires password authentication and a password is not available by other means such as a .pgpass file, the connection attempt will fail. This option can be useful in batch jobs and scripts where no user is present to enter a password.

\n
\n
-W
--password
\n
\n

Force dropdb to prompt for a password before connecting to a database.

\n

This option is never essential, since dropdb will automatically prompt for a password if the server demands password authentication. However, dropdb will waste a connection attempt finding out that the server wants a password. In some cases it is worth typing -W to avoid the extra connection attempt.

\n
\n
--maintenance-db=dbname
\n
\n

Specifies the name of the database to connect to in order to drop the target database. If not specified, the postgres database will be used; if that does not exist (or is the database being dropped), template1 will be used. This can be a connection string. If so, connection string parameters will override any conflicting command line options.

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Environment

\n
\n
\n
PGHOST
PGPORT
PGUSER
\n
\n

Default connection parameters

\n
\n
PG_COLOR
\n
\n

Specifies whether to use color in diagnostic messages. Possible values are always, auto and never.

\n
\n
\n
\n

This utility, like most other PostgreSQL utilities, also uses the environment variables supported by libpq (see Section\u00a032.14).

\n
\n
\n

Diagnostics

\n

In case of difficulty, see DROP DATABASE and psql for discussions of potential problems and error messages. The database server must be running at the targeted host. Also, any default connection settings and environment variables used by the libpq front-end library will apply.

\n
\n
\n

Examples

\n

To destroy the database demo on the default database server:

\n
$ dropdb demo\n
\n

To destroy the database demo using the server on host eden, port 5000, with verification and a peek at the underlying command:

\n
$ dropdb -p 5000 -h eden -i -e demo\nDatabase \"demo\" will be permanently deleted.\nAre you sure? (y/n) y\nDROP DATABASE demo;\n
\n
\n
\n

See Also

createdb, DROP DATABASE\n
\n
", "manual_path": "app-dropdb.html", "comparison_data": {"options": [{"names": ["-e", "--echo"], "signature": "-e --echo", "description": "Echo the commands that dropdb generates and sends to the server."}, {"names": ["-f", "--force"], "signature": "-f --force", "description": "Attempt to terminate all existing connections to the target database before dropping it. See DROP DATABASE for more information on this option."}, {"names": ["-i", "--interactive"], "signature": "-i --interactive", "description": "Issues a verification prompt before doing anything destructive."}, {"names": ["-V", "--version"], "signature": "-V --version", "description": "Print the dropdb version and exit."}, {"names": ["--if-exists"], "signature": "--if-exists", "description": "Do not throw an error if the database does not exist. 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\n
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\n

dropdb

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dropdb \u2014 remove a PostgreSQL database

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\n
\n

Synopsis

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\n

dropdb [connection-option...] [option...] dbname

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Description

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dropdb destroys an existing PostgreSQL database. The user who executes this command must be a database superuser or the owner of the database.

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dropdb is a wrapper around the SQL command DROP DATABASE. There is no effective difference between dropping databases via this utility and via other methods for accessing the server.

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Options

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dropdb accepts the following command-line arguments:

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\n
\n
dbname
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\n

Specifies the name of the database to be removed.

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\n
-e
--echo
\n
\n

Echo the commands that dropdb generates and sends to the server.

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-f
--force
\n
\n

Attempt to terminate all existing connections to the target database before dropping it. See DROP DATABASE for more information on this option.

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-i
--interactive
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Issues a verification prompt before doing anything destructive.

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-V
--version
\n
\n

Print the dropdb version and exit.

\n
\n
--if-exists
\n
\n

Do not throw an error if the database does not exist. A notice is issued in this case.

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\n
-?
--help
\n
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Show help about dropdb command line arguments, and exit.

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\n
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dropdb also accepts the following command-line arguments for connection parameters:

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-h host
--host=host
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\n

Specifies the host name of the machine on which the server is running. If the value begins with a slash, it is used as the directory for the Unix domain socket.

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-p port
--port=port
\n
\n

Specifies the TCP port or local Unix domain socket file extension on which the server is listening for connections.

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-U username
--username=username
\n
\n

User name to connect as.

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\n
-w
--no-password
\n
\n

Never issue a password prompt. If the server requires password authentication and a password is not available by other means such as a .pgpass file, the connection attempt will fail. This option can be useful in batch jobs and scripts where no user is present to enter a password.

\n
\n
-W
--password
\n
\n

Force dropdb to prompt for a password before connecting to a database.

\n

This option is never essential, since dropdb will automatically prompt for a password if the server demands password authentication. However, dropdb will waste a connection attempt finding out that the server wants a password. In some cases it is worth typing -W to avoid the extra connection attempt.

\n
\n
--maintenance-db=dbname
\n
\n

Specifies the name of the database to connect to in order to drop the target database. If not specified, the postgres database will be used; if that does not exist (or is the database being dropped), template1 will be used. This can be a connection string. If so, connection string parameters will override any conflicting command line options.

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Environment

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\n
\n
PGHOST
PGPORT
PGUSER
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Default connection parameters

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PG_COLOR
\n
\n

Specifies whether to use color in diagnostic messages. Possible values are always, auto and never.

\n
\n
\n
\n

This utility, like most other PostgreSQL utilities, also uses the environment variables supported by libpq (see Section\u00a032.15).

\n
\n
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Diagnostics

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In case of difficulty, see DROP DATABASE and psql for discussions of potential problems and error messages. The database server must be running at the targeted host. Also, any default connection settings and environment variables used by the libpq front-end library will apply.

\n
\n
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Examples

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To destroy the database demo on the default database server:

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$ dropdb demo\n
\n

To destroy the database demo using the server on host eden, port 5000, with verification and a peek at the underlying command:

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$ dropdb -p 5000 -h eden -i -e demo\nDatabase \"demo\" will be permanently deleted.\nAre you sure? (y/n) y\nDROP DATABASE demo;\n
\n
\n
\n

See Also

createdb, DROP DATABASE\n
\n
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