[mysql] View stored procedure/function definition in MySQL

What is the MySQL command to view the definition of a stored procedure or function, similar to sp_helptext in Microsoft SQL Server?

I know that SHOW PROCEDURE STATUS will display the list of the procedures available. I need to see a single procedure's definition.

This question is related to mysql stored-procedures stored-functions

The answer is


If you want to know the list of procedures you can run the following command -

show procedure status;

It will give you the list of procedures and their definers Then you can run the show create procedure <procedurename>;


SHOW CREATE PROCEDURE proc_name;

returns the definition of proc_name


You can use table proc in database mysql:

mysql> SELECT body FROM mysql.proc
WHERE db = 'yourdb' AND name = 'procedurename' ;

Note that you must have a grant for select to mysql.proc:

mysql> GRANT SELECT ON mysql.proc TO 'youruser'@'yourhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'yourpass' ;

Perfect, try it:

SELECT ROUTINE_DEFINITION FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.ROUTINES
    WHERE ROUTINE_SCHEMA = 'yourdb' AND ROUTINE_TYPE = 'PROCEDURE' AND ROUTINE_NAME = "procedurename";

An alternative quick and hacky solution if you want to get an overview of all the produres there are, or run into the issue of only getting the procedure header shown by SHOW CREATE PROCEDURE:

mysqldump --user=<user> -p --no-data --routines <database>

It will export the table descriptions as well, but no data. Works well for sniffing around unknown or forgotten schemas... ;)


something like:

DELIMITER //

CREATE PROCEDURE alluser()
BEGIN
   SELECT *
   FROM users;
END //

DELIMITER ;

than:

SHOW CREATE PROCEDURE alluser

gives result:

'alluser', 'STRICT_TRANS_TABLES,NO_AUTO_CREATE_USER', 'CREATE DEFINER=`root`@`localhost` PROCEDURE `alluser`()
BEGIN
   SELECT *
   FROM users;
END'

You can use this:

SELECT ROUTINE_DEFINITION FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.ROUTINES
WHERE ROUTINE_SCHEMA = 'yourdb' AND ROUTINE_TYPE = 'PROCEDURE' AND ROUTINE_NAME = "procedurename";