Hive table sample example of an autobiography

Hive supports most of all traditional SQL commands since there are many commands, let’s learn the most commonly used Hive DDL (Data Definition Language) commands with examples.

Before you proceed make sure you have HiveServer2 started and connected to Hive using Beeline

Hive DDL Database Commands

Among several Hive DDL Commands, here I will be covering the most commonly used DDL commands.

DDL commands are used to create databases, tables, modify the structure of the table, and drop the database and tables e.t.c.

Create Database

In Hive,  statement is used to create a Database, this takes an optional clause IF NOT EXISTS, using this option, it creates only when database not already exists.

• If the Database already exists you will get an error .
• To check if the database already exists before creating, use  clause.
• You can change the location of the database using LOCATION clause

By default Hive stores the database at warehouse location /user/hi