<- v5:userguide:learn_dictionary:metacolumns:|MetaColumns ^ v5:userguide:learn_dictionary:start_lesson|Start Of Lesson ^ -> ~~NOTOC~~ ====== Other MetaFunctions ====== ===== metaTables() ===== The method [[v5:dictionary:metatables|metaTables()]] returns a list of the tables in the database. In some databases, the values returned by the method may be restricted based on built-in security in the DBMS.


$ar = $db->metaTables('TABLES');
/*
 * $ar returns:
  [0] => DEPT
  [1] => EMP
  [2] => EMPACT
  [3] => EMP_ACT
  [4] => PROJ
  [5] => ADEFUSR
  ......

===== metaIndexes() ===== The method [[v5:dictionary:metaindexes|metaIndexes()]] returns an array of data containing index information about a requested table


print_r($db->metaIndexes('test'));

/*
* Prints
Array(
  [index_name] => Array
  (
    [unique] => 0
    [columns] => Array
    (
         [0] => Column 1
         [1] => Column 2
         [2] => etc........
    )
   
  )
*/

===== metaPrimaryKeys() ===== The [[v5:dictionary:metaprimarykeys|metaPrimaryKeys()]] method returns a list of Primary Keys associated with a table


$mpk = $db->metaPrimaryKeys('ACT');
print_r($mpk);
/*
 * Prints 
Array
(
    [0] => ACTNO
)

 */

===== metaProcedures() ===== The method [[v5:dictionary:metaprocedures|metaProcedures()]] returns a list of stored procedures in a database. Some databases do not support stored procedures. The format of the data returned is as follows: ------------------------------------------- Array( [name_of_procedure] => Array( [type] => PROCEDURE or FUNCTION or METHOD [catalog] => Catalog (or owner) name [schema] => Schema name [remarks] => explanatory comment on the procedure ) ) ===== metaForeignKeys() ===== The [[v5:dictionary:metaforeignkeys|metaForeignKeys()]] method returns a list of [[WP>foreign key|Foreign Keys]] (sometimes called **//Constraints//**) associated with a requested table. Each array entry shows the foreign table, and the fields that are related.


$p = $db->metaForeignKeys('dept_emp');
print_r($p);
/*
 * prints
Array
(
    [employees] => Array
        (
            [0] => emp_no=emp_no
        )

    [departments] => Array
        (
            [0] => dept_no=dept_no
        )

)
*/

**End Of Lesson**