MariaDB viewer: inspect databases, tables and structure

By Anil Gautam · September 20, 2026

Open your MariaDB connection and check the server version first. Many commands will look familiar if you use MySQL, but the servers have differences. From there, you can list databases, inspect a table and read a few rows.

Check the server version

SELECT VERSION() AS server_version,
       DATABASE() AS selected_database;
SHOW DATABASES;

Include that version when reporting a problem. A migration that works on MySQL may behave differently on MariaDB, even when you use the same viewer.

Inspect a table before editing

For an illustrative database named inventory and table named products:

SHOW FULL TABLES FROM inventory;
SHOW COLUMNS FROM inventory.products;
SHOW CREATE TABLE inventory.products;

Compare the column listing with CREATE output. Constraints, indexes and storage choices can explain behavior that is invisible in a row grid. MariaDB’s SHOW TABLES reference describes the name and type listing.

Check a bounded sample

Select only known columns and use an explicit order. Verify how the viewer displays NULL, large integers and dates. If an application stores identifiers as text, preserve that representation when exporting to a spreadsheet.

For an export task, define whether you need selected rows, all matching rows or a full restorable backup. A CSV does not preserve triggers, permissions and every schema object.

Choose the connection path deliberately

Keep TLS verification and network access requirements with the saved connection. A private database may need a VPN or authorized SSH tunnel. Do not expose a server publicly merely because a new viewer cannot reach it from the current network.

Use plainDB for the supported workflow

plainDB implements MariaDB connections on Mac and Windows. Browsing, SQL, import, backup controls and other advanced workflows are shared; controls and credential storage follow the platform. Server backup utilities are not bundled. Review the feature matrix before promising a teammate a cross-platform workflow.

For the common discovery commands, see listing databases and tables; check the MariaDB reference whenever a MySQL-specific statement or version assumption becomes relevant.