DESCRIBE via database link?

Question

Hi!

I tried to execute the DESCRIBE command via a database link, but this was the return message:

DESCRIBE <table>@<database>;
ERROR:                               
------------------------------------ 
ERROR: object <table> does not exist 

1 rows selected

A SELECT on this table works well.

Does Oracle permitts DESCRIBE via a database link?

I'm using the Oracle SQL Developer 1.5.1.

Edit:

Is there another option to describe a table?

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

I think DESCRIBE is a SQL*Plus feature. See here.

Answer 2

You could do something with the all_tab_columns table to get some table information.

select column_name, data_type from all_tab_columns where table_name = 'TABLE_NAME';

Answer 3

I can't check it right now, but maybe select * from v$tables@remotedb doesn't give similar information?

Answer 4

You seem to be using PL/SQL Developer.

DESCRIBE is not an SQL command, it's a query tool alias that gets converted into a series of queries to the system tables.

PL/SQL Developer can not describe tables from remote databases, while native SQL*Plus can.

Answer 5

The easiest way to get the description of a table on a remote server would be:

CREATE OR REPLACE VIEW TMP_VIEW AS SELECT * FROM TABLE_A@SERVER
/
DESCRIBE TMP_VIEW
/

Answer 6

just make temporary view, then describe the table using command window.