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postgresqlpsql

Can't delete database

I'm new to PostgreSQL and am having a problem with what I perceive to be a simple command DROP DATABASE and DROPDB. Why would the following commands not delete my database?

postgres=# drop database clientms
postgres-# \l
                                    List of databases
   Name    |    Owner     | Encoding |   Collate   |    Ctype    |   Access privileges   
-----------+--------------+----------+-------------+-------------+-----------------------
 clientms  | clientmsuser | UTF8     | en_GB.UTF-8 | en_GB.UTF-8 | 
 postgres  | postgres     | UTF8     | en_GB.UTF-8 | en_GB.UTF-8 | 
 template0 | postgres     | UTF8     | en_GB.UTF-8 | en_GB.UTF-8 | =c/postgres          +
           |              |          |             |             | postgres=CTc/postgres
 template1 | postgres     | UTF8     | en_GB.UTF-8 | en_GB.UTF-8 | =c/postgres          +
           |              |          |             |             | postgres=CTc/postgres
(4 rows)

postgres-# dropdb clientms
postgres-# \l
                                    List of databases
   Name    |    Owner     | Encoding |   Collate   |    Ctype    |   Access privileges   
-----------+--------------+----------+-------------+-------------+-----------------------
 clientms  | clientmsuser | UTF8     | en_GB.UTF-8 | en_GB.UTF-8 | 
 postgres  | postgres     | UTF8     | en_GB.UTF-8 | en_GB.UTF-8 | 
 template0 | postgres     | UTF8     | en_GB.UTF-8 | en_GB.UTF-8 | =c/postgres          +
           |              |          |             |             | postgres=CTc/postgres
 template1 | postgres     | UTF8     | en_GB.UTF-8 | en_GB.UTF-8 | =c/postgres          +
           |              |          |             |             | postgres=CTc/postgres
(4 rows)
Solution

  • You forgot the semicolon ; after the command. Try:

    DROP DATABASE clientms;

    The incomplete command is also indicated by the prompt: - instead of =. This is to allow multi-line commands.

    For other cases, not hinging on the simple syntax issue: