# DROP DATABASE DROP DATABASE — remove a database ### Synopsis ``` DROP DATABASE [ IF EXISTS ] name ``` ### Description `DROP DATABASE` drops a database. It removes the catalog entries for the database and deletes the directory containing the data. It can only be executed by the database owner. Also, it cannot be executed while you or anyone else are connected to the target database. (Connect to `postgres` or any other database to issue this command.) `DROP DATABASE` cannot be undone. Use it with care! ### Parameters `IF EXISTS` Do not throw an error if the database does not exist. A notice is issued in this case. *`name`* The name of the database to remove. ### Notes `DROP DATABASE` cannot be executed inside a transaction block. This command cannot be executed while connected to the target database. Thus, it might be more convenient to use the program [dropdb](https://www.postgresql.org/docs/10/static/app-dropdb.html) instead, which is a wrapper around this command. ### Compatibility There is no `DROP DATABASE` statement in the SQL standard. ### See Also [CREATE DATABASE](https://www.postgresql.org/docs/10/static/sql-createdatabase.html) --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.postgresql.tw/15/reference/sql-commands/drop-database.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.