Relative newcomer to Oracle. Where does Oracle store information about the Primary Keys for its tables? Specifically, how can I determine, by table, what column(s) are used for the Primary key?

Any assistance is sincerely appreciated.

Hi,

Look in the system view 'user constraints'. ie

select * from user_constraints where table_name = 'xxxxx'

etc.

Hth
Bill

Thanks Bill, but already looked there. It doesn't tell me what column(s) in the table make up the Primary Key. Here's the table def:

SQL> desc user_constraints
Name Null? Type
----------------------------------------- -------- --------------
OWNER NOT NULL VARCHAR2(30)
CONSTRAINT_NAME NOT NULL VARCHAR2(30)
CONSTRAINT_TYPE VARCHAR2(1)
TABLE_NAME NOT NULL VARCHAR2(30)
SEARCH_CONDITION LONG
R_OWNER VARCHAR2(30)
R_CONSTRAINT_NAME VARCHAR2(30)
DELETE_RULE VARCHAR2(9)
STATUS VARCHAR2(8)
DEFERRABLE VARCHAR2(14)
DEFERRED VARCHAR2(9)
VALIDATED VARCHAR2(13)
GENERATED VARCHAR2(14)
BAD VARCHAR2(3)
RELY VARCHAR2(4)
LAST_CHANGE DATE

try USER_CONS_COLUMNS. The best way to learn abouth these tables is get something like TOAD (free version available) and just browse the views belong to sys.

Alan

THANKS AlanP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Helps me a lot; exactly what I was looking for.

Anywhere I can learn the names of these sys tables???? I know a few but never the one I need it seems. Have Toad tool......will it tell me the name of these sys tables?

Just use schema browser and select the SYS user and the views tab

Alan

Sorry to keep bothering ya.....but how do I select SYS user?

top left hand corner, the drop down combo box.

Alan

yo, goto quest.com and download TOAD for free.

It is a great GUI tool to look up constraints and many other things.

Thanks again AlanP........that last assist will be INVALUABLE!!!!!!


....first day here and I like this site already!

You can also check the system view all_objects etc.

select * from all_objects where owner = 'SYS'

select * from dba_all_objects where owner = 'SYS'

Hth
Bill