How to export schema MariaDB in PostgreSQL

Galaxy Glossary

How do I export only the schema from a MariaDB database?

export schema dumps the database structure (tables, indexes, routines, triggers, views) to a .sql file without data.

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Description

Why export only the schema in MariaDB?

Exporting just the schema lets you version-control structural changes, replicate environments quickly, and perform zero-data migrations in CI/CD pipelines.

Which tool should I use to export a MariaDB schema?

Use mysqldump (or the identical mariadb-dump) with --no-data. This flag skips row data while preserving CREATE statements for tables, triggers, views, and routines.

How do I dump the entire schema with routines and triggers?

Run:
mysqldump -u admin -p --host=db.prod --no-data --routines --triggers --databases shop > shop_schema.sql
This writes CREATE TABLE, CREATE VIEW, CREATE TRIGGER, and CREATE PROCEDURE statements for database shop.

How do I export only one table’s schema?

Supply the table name:
mysqldump -u admin -p --no-data shop Customers > customers_schema.sql
Useful for modular migrations or when just one table changes.

How do I restore an exported schema?

Pipe the dump file into the target server:
mysql -u admin -p --host=db.staging < shop_schema.sql
Ensure the destination user has CREATE privileges.

How can I automate schema exports in CI/CD?

Add a job that runs mysqldump nightly, commits the *.sql file to VCS, and tags releases. Compress large dumps with gzip to save storage.

Best practices for clean dumps

• Always append --set-gtid-purged=OFF in GTID setups.
• Use --skip-add-drop-table when you want idempotent CREATE statements.
• Store dumps in a dedicated /db/schema/ directory.

Common mistakes

Forgetting --no-data

Omitting --no-data writes millions of rows into the file. Always include it when the goal is structure only.

Using --no-create-info instead

--no-create-info removes CREATE statements and leaves INSERTs—exactly the opposite of what you want. Swap it for --no-data.

Need a quick check after dumping?

Open the file and search for INSERT INTO. If none exist, you successfully exported schema only.

Why How to export schema MariaDB in PostgreSQL is important

How to export schema MariaDB in PostgreSQL Example Usage


# Dump schema for ecommerce database "shop"
mysqldump -u admin -p --host=db.prod --no-data --routines --triggers \
          --databases shop > shop_schema_2024-08-30.sql

# File will contain statements like:
CREATE TABLE `Customers` (
  `id` INT NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT,
  `name` VARCHAR(100) NOT NULL,
  `email` VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL,
  `created_at` DATETIME NOT NULL,
  PRIMARY KEY (`id`)
) ENGINE=InnoDB;

CREATE TABLE `Orders` (...);
-- etc.

How to export schema MariaDB in PostgreSQL Syntax


mysqldump [connection_options] [dump_options] --no-data [db_name] [table1 table2 ...] > file.sql

# Connection options
-u, --user              # DB user
-p, --password          # Prompt for password
-h, --host              # Server host
-P, --port              # Port (default 3306)

# Dump options (commonly combined)
--no-data               # Export structure only
--routines              # Include stored procedures & functions
--triggers              # Include triggers
--events                # Include events
--databases db_name     # Dump full database (adds CREATE DATABASE)
--single-transaction    # Consistent snapshot (InnoDB)
--set-gtid-purged=OFF   # Skip GTID lines for portability
--skip-add-drop-table   # Omit DROP TABLE statements

Example (ecommerce):
mysqldump -u admin -p --no-data --routines --triggers \
          --databases shop > shop_schema.sql

Common Mistakes

Running mysqldump without --no-data: This exports every row, creating huge files and slowing source servers. Fix by adding --no-data.
Using --no-create-info instead of --no-data: This removes CREATE statements and leaves INSERTs. Swap the flag to export structure, not data.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does --no-data include views?

Yes. Views, triggers, routines, and events are included when you add their respective flags (--routines, --triggers, --events).

Can I dump multiple databases at once?

Yes. List them after --databases or use --all-databases. Each schema will be wrapped in a corresponding CREATE DATABASE statement.

Is mysqldump hot-backup safe?

With --single-transaction, InnoDB tables are dumped from a consistent snapshot without locking writes, making it safe for production usage.

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