Replacing mysql_list_dbs() with SHOW DATABASES

The removed mysql_list_dbs() API is unnecessary in modern PHP. MySQL provides the SHOW DATABASES statement, which can be executed through PDO, MySQLi, the command-line client or GUI tools.

SHOW DATABASES

SHOW DATABASES;

The databases visible in the result depend on the current account's privileges and server configuration.

PDO example

<?php
$stmt = $dbo->query('SHOW DATABASES');
foreach ($stmt as $row) {
    echo htmlspecialchars($row[0]) . '<br>';
}
?>

MySQLi example

<?php
$result = $connection->query('SHOW DATABASES');
while ($row = $result->fetch_assoc()) {
    echo htmlspecialchars($row['Database']) . '<br>';
}
?>

Historical mysql_list_dbs()

<?php
// Historical only: mysql_list_dbs() and mysql_db_name() were removed with mysql_*.
$list = mysql_list_dbs();
?>

To create a database, see CREATE DATABASE from PHP. For table-level discovery, continue with SHOW TABLES.

Related tutorials

Create database · SHOW TABLES · Database tutorial · PHP/MySQL overview · MySQL front-end tools

← All PHP & MySQL topics

Subhendu Mohapatra

Author & Instructor at plus2net

I write and maintain practical tutorials on Python, PHP, SQL, JavaScript, HTML, jQuery, and web development at plus2net. The tutorials focus on clear explanations, working examples, and code that readers can test and adapt while learning.

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