# Use `DescribeTable` with an AWS SDK or CLI
<a name="example_dynamodb_DescribeTable_section"></a>

The following code examples show how to use `DescribeTable`.

Action examples are code excerpts from larger programs and must be run in context. You can see this action in context in the following code examples: 
+  [Learn the basics](example_dynamodb_Scenario_GettingStartedMovies_section.md) 
+  [Create and manage global tables demonstrating MREC](example_dynamodb_Scenario_GlobalTableOperations_section.md) 
+  [Create and manage MRSC global tables](example_dynamodb_Scenario_MRSCGlobalTables_section.md) 
+  [Getting started with DynamoDB](example_dynamodb_GettingStarted_070_section.md) 
+  [Work with global tables and multi-Region replication eventual consistency (MREC)](example_dynamodb_Scenario_MultiRegionReplication_section.md) 
+  [Work with Streams and Time-to-Live](example_dynamodb_Scenario_StreamsAndTTL_section.md) 
+  [Work with table encryption](example_dynamodb_Scenario_EncryptionExamples_section.md) 

------
#### [ .NET ]

**SDK for .NET**  
 There's more on GitHub. Find the complete example and learn how to set up and run in the [AWS Code Examples Repository](https://github.com/awsdocs/aws-doc-sdk-examples/tree/main/dotnetv3/dynamodb#code-examples). 

```
    private static async Task GetTableInformation()
    {
        Console.WriteLine("\n*** Retrieving table information ***");

        var response = await Client.DescribeTableAsync(new DescribeTableRequest
        {
            TableName = ExampleTableName
        });

        var table = response.Table;
        Console.WriteLine($"Name: {table.TableName}");
        Console.WriteLine($"# of items: {table.ItemCount}");

    }
```
+  For API details, see [DescribeTable](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/goto/DotNetSDKV3/dynamodb-2012-08-10/DescribeTable) in *AWS SDK for .NET API Reference*. 

------
#### [ Bash ]

**AWS CLI with Bash script**  
 There's more on GitHub. Find the complete example and learn how to set up and run in the [AWS Code Examples Repository](https://github.com/awsdocs/aws-doc-sdk-examples/tree/main/aws-cli/bash-linux/dynamodb#code-examples). 

```
###############################################################################
# function dynamodb_describe_table
#
# This function returns the status of a DynamoDB table.
#
# Parameters:
#       -n table_name  -- The name of the table.
#
#  Response:
#       - TableStatus:
#     And:
#       0 - Table is active.
#       1 - If it fails.
###############################################################################
function dynamodb_describe_table {
  local table_name
  local option OPTARG # Required to use getopts command in a function.

  #######################################
  # Function usage explanation
  #######################################
  function usage() {
    echo "function dynamodb_describe_table"
    echo "Describe the status of a DynamoDB table."
    echo "  -n table_name  -- The name of the table."
    echo ""
  }

  # Retrieve the calling parameters.
  while getopts "n:h" option; do
    case "${option}" in
      n) table_name="${OPTARG}" ;;
      h)
        usage
        return 0
        ;;
      \?)
        echo "Invalid parameter"
        usage
        return 1
        ;;
    esac
  done
  export OPTIND=1

  if [[ -z "$table_name" ]]; then
    errecho "ERROR: You must provide a table name with the -n parameter."
    usage
    return 1
  fi

  local table_status
    table_status=$(
      aws dynamodb describe-table \
        --table-name "$table_name" \
        --output text \
        --query 'Table.TableStatus'
    )

   local error_code=${?}

    if [[ $error_code -ne 0 ]]; then
      aws_cli_error_log "$error_code"
      errecho "ERROR: AWS reports describe-table operation failed.$table_status"
      return 1
    fi

  echo "$table_status"

  return 0
}
```
The utility functions used in this example.  

```
###############################################################################
# function errecho
#
# This function outputs everything sent to it to STDERR (standard error output).
###############################################################################
function errecho() {
  printf "%s\n" "$*" 1>&2
}

##############################################################################
# function aws_cli_error_log()
#
# This function is used to log the error messages from the AWS CLI.
#
# See https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/topic/return-codes.html#cli-aws-help-return-codes.
#
# The function expects the following argument:
#         $1 - The error code returned by the AWS CLI.
#
#  Returns:
#          0: - Success.
#
##############################################################################
function aws_cli_error_log() {
  local err_code=$1
  errecho "Error code : $err_code"
  if [ "$err_code" == 1 ]; then
    errecho "  One or more S3 transfers failed."
  elif [ "$err_code" == 2 ]; then
    errecho "  Command line failed to parse."
  elif [ "$err_code" == 130 ]; then
    errecho "  Process received SIGINT."
  elif [ "$err_code" == 252 ]; then
    errecho "  Command syntax invalid."
  elif [ "$err_code" == 253 ]; then
    errecho "  The system environment or configuration was invalid."
  elif [ "$err_code" == 254 ]; then
    errecho "  The service returned an error."
  elif [ "$err_code" == 255 ]; then
    errecho "  255 is a catch-all error."
  fi

  return 0
}
```
+  For API details, see [DescribeTable](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/goto/aws-cli/dynamodb-2012-08-10/DescribeTable) in *AWS CLI Command Reference*. 

------
#### [ C\$1\$1 ]

**SDK for C\$1\$1**  
 There's more on GitHub. Find the complete example and learn how to set up and run in the [AWS Code Examples Repository](https://github.com/awsdocs/aws-doc-sdk-examples/tree/main/cpp/example_code/dynamodb#code-examples). 

```
//! Describe an Amazon DynamoDB table.
/*!
  \sa describeTable()
  \param tableName: The DynamoDB table name.
  \param clientConfiguration: AWS client configuration.
  \return bool: Function succeeded.
*/
bool AwsDoc::DynamoDB::describeTable(const Aws::String &tableName,
                                     const Aws::Client::ClientConfiguration &clientConfiguration) {
    Aws::DynamoDB::DynamoDBClient dynamoClient(clientConfiguration);

    Aws::DynamoDB::Model::DescribeTableRequest request;
    request.SetTableName(tableName);

    const Aws::DynamoDB::Model::DescribeTableOutcome &outcome = dynamoClient.DescribeTable(
            request);

    if (outcome.IsSuccess()) {
        const Aws::DynamoDB::Model::TableDescription &td = outcome.GetResult().GetTable();
        std::cout << "Table name  : " << td.GetTableName() << std::endl;
        std::cout << "Table ARN   : " << td.GetTableArn() << std::endl;
        std::cout << "Status      : "
                  << Aws::DynamoDB::Model::TableStatusMapper::GetNameForTableStatus(
                          td.GetTableStatus()) << std::endl;
        std::cout << "Item count  : " << td.GetItemCount() << std::endl;
        std::cout << "Size (bytes): " << td.GetTableSizeBytes() << std::endl;

        const Aws::DynamoDB::Model::ProvisionedThroughputDescription &ptd = td.GetProvisionedThroughput();
        std::cout << "Throughput" << std::endl;
        std::cout << "  Read Capacity : " << ptd.GetReadCapacityUnits() << std::endl;
        std::cout << "  Write Capacity: " << ptd.GetWriteCapacityUnits() << std::endl;

        const Aws::Vector<Aws::DynamoDB::Model::AttributeDefinition> &ad = td.GetAttributeDefinitions();
        std::cout << "Attributes" << std::endl;
        for (const auto &a: ad)
            std::cout << "  " << a.GetAttributeName() << " (" <<
                      Aws::DynamoDB::Model::ScalarAttributeTypeMapper::GetNameForScalarAttributeType(
                              a.GetAttributeType()) <<
                      ")" << std::endl;
    }
    else {
        std::cerr << "Failed to describe table: " << outcome.GetError().GetMessage();
    }

    return outcome.IsSuccess();
}
```
+  For API details, see [DescribeTable](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/goto/SdkForCpp/dynamodb-2012-08-10/DescribeTable) in *AWS SDK for C\$1\$1 API Reference*. 

------
#### [ CLI ]

**AWS CLI**  
**To describe a table**  
The following `describe-table` example describes the `MusicCollection` table.  

```
aws dynamodb describe-table \
    --table-name MusicCollection
```
Output:  

```
{
    "Table": {
        "AttributeDefinitions": [
            {
                "AttributeName": "Artist",
                "AttributeType": "S"
            },
            {
                "AttributeName": "SongTitle",
                "AttributeType": "S"
            }
        ],
        "ProvisionedThroughput": {
            "NumberOfDecreasesToday": 0,
            "WriteCapacityUnits": 5,
            "ReadCapacityUnits": 5
        },
        "TableSizeBytes": 0,
        "TableName": "MusicCollection",
        "TableStatus": "ACTIVE",
        "KeySchema": [
            {
                "KeyType": "HASH",
                "AttributeName": "Artist"
            },
            {
                "KeyType": "RANGE",
                "AttributeName": "SongTitle"
            }
        ],
        "ItemCount": 0,
        "CreationDateTime": 1421866952.062
    }
}
```
For more information, see [Describing a Table](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazondynamodb/latest/developerguide/WorkingWithTables.Basics.html#WorkingWithTables.Basics.DescribeTable) in the *Amazon DynamoDB Developer Guide*.  
+  For API details, see [DescribeTable](https://awscli.amazonaws.com/v2/documentation/api/latest/reference/dynamodb/describe-table.html) in *AWS CLI Command Reference*. 

------
#### [ Go ]

**SDK for Go V2**  
 There's more on GitHub. Find the complete example and learn how to set up and run in the [AWS Code Examples Repository](https://github.com/awsdocs/aws-doc-sdk-examples/tree/main/gov2/dynamodb#code-examples). 

```
import (
	"context"
	"errors"
	"log"
	"time"

	"github.com/aws/aws-sdk-go-v2/aws"
	"github.com/aws/aws-sdk-go-v2/feature/dynamodb/attributevalue"
	"github.com/aws/aws-sdk-go-v2/feature/dynamodb/expression"
	"github.com/aws/aws-sdk-go-v2/service/dynamodb"
	"github.com/aws/aws-sdk-go-v2/service/dynamodb/types"
)

// TableBasics encapsulates the Amazon DynamoDB service actions used in the examples.
// It contains a DynamoDB service client that is used to act on the specified table.
type TableBasics struct {
	DynamoDbClient *dynamodb.Client
	TableName      string
}



// TableExists determines whether a DynamoDB table exists.
func (basics TableBasics) TableExists(ctx context.Context) (bool, error) {
	exists := true
	_, err := basics.DynamoDbClient.DescribeTable(
		ctx, &dynamodb.DescribeTableInput{TableName: aws.String(basics.TableName)},
	)
	if err != nil {
		var notFoundEx *types.ResourceNotFoundException
		if errors.As(err, &notFoundEx) {
			log.Printf("Table %v does not exist.\n", basics.TableName)
			err = nil
		} else {
			log.Printf("Couldn't determine existence of table %v. Here's why: %v\n", basics.TableName, err)
		}
		exists = false
	}
	return exists, err
}
```
+  For API details, see [DescribeTable](https://pkg.go.dev/github.com/aws/aws-sdk-go-v2/service/dynamodb#Client.DescribeTable) in *AWS SDK for Go API Reference*. 

------
#### [ Java ]

**SDK for Java 2.x**  
 There's more on GitHub. Find the complete example and learn how to set up and run in the [AWS Code Examples Repository](https://github.com/awsdocs/aws-doc-sdk-examples/tree/main/javav2/example_code/dynamodb#code-examples). 

```
import software.amazon.awssdk.regions.Region;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.DynamoDbException;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.DynamoDbClient;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.AttributeDefinition;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.DescribeTableRequest;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.ProvisionedThroughputDescription;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.TableDescription;
import java.util.List;

/**
 * Before running this Java V2 code example, set up your development
 * environment, including your credentials.
 *
 * For more information, see the following documentation topic:
 *
 * https://docs.aws.amazon.com/sdk-for-java/latest/developer-guide/get-started.html
 */
public class DescribeTable {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        final String usage = """

                Usage:
                    <tableName>

                Where:
                    tableName - The Amazon DynamoDB table to get information about (for example, Music3).
                """;

        if (args.length != 1) {
            System.out.println(usage);
            System.exit(1);
        }

        String tableName = args[0];
        System.out.format("Getting description for %s\n\n", tableName);
        Region region = Region.US_EAST_1;
        DynamoDbClient ddb = DynamoDbClient.builder()
                .region(region)
                .build();

        describeDymamoDBTable(ddb, tableName);
        ddb.close();
    }

    public static void describeDymamoDBTable(DynamoDbClient ddb, String tableName) {
        DescribeTableRequest request = DescribeTableRequest.builder()
                .tableName(tableName)
                .build();

        try {
            TableDescription tableInfo = ddb.describeTable(request).table();
            if (tableInfo != null) {
                System.out.format("Table name  : %s\n", tableInfo.tableName());
                System.out.format("Table ARN   : %s\n", tableInfo.tableArn());
                System.out.format("Status      : %s\n", tableInfo.tableStatus());
                System.out.format("Item count  : %d\n", tableInfo.itemCount());
                System.out.format("Size (bytes): %d\n", tableInfo.tableSizeBytes());

                ProvisionedThroughputDescription throughputInfo = tableInfo.provisionedThroughput();
                System.out.println("Throughput");
                System.out.format("  Read Capacity : %d\n", throughputInfo.readCapacityUnits());
                System.out.format("  Write Capacity: %d\n", throughputInfo.writeCapacityUnits());

                List<AttributeDefinition> attributes = tableInfo.attributeDefinitions();
                System.out.println("Attributes");
                for (AttributeDefinition a : attributes) {
                    System.out.format("  %s (%s)\n", a.attributeName(), a.attributeType());
                }
            }

        } catch (DynamoDbException e) {
            System.err.println(e.getMessage());
            System.exit(1);
        }
        System.out.println("\nDone!");
    }
}
```
+  For API details, see [DescribeTable](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/goto/SdkForJavaV2/dynamodb-2012-08-10/DescribeTable) in *AWS SDK for Java 2.x API Reference*. 

------
#### [ JavaScript ]

**SDK for JavaScript (v3)**  
 There's more on GitHub. Find the complete example and learn how to set up and run in the [AWS Code Examples Repository](https://github.com/awsdocs/aws-doc-sdk-examples/tree/main/javascriptv3/example_code/dynamodb#code-examples). 

```
import { DescribeTableCommand, DynamoDBClient } from "@aws-sdk/client-dynamodb";

const client = new DynamoDBClient({});

export const main = async () => {
  const command = new DescribeTableCommand({
    TableName: "Pastries",
  });

  const response = await client.send(command);
  console.log(`TABLE NAME: ${response.Table.TableName}`);
  console.log(`TABLE ITEM COUNT: ${response.Table.ItemCount}`);
  return response;
};
```
+  For more information, see [AWS SDK for JavaScript Developer Guide](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/sdk-for-javascript/v3/developer-guide/dynamodb-examples-using-tables.html#dynamodb-examples-using-tables-describing-a-table). 
+  For API details, see [DescribeTable](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSJavaScriptSDK/v3/latest/client/dynamodb/command/DescribeTableCommand) in *AWS SDK for JavaScript API Reference*. 

**SDK for JavaScript (v2)**  
 There's more on GitHub. Find the complete example and learn how to set up and run in the [AWS Code Examples Repository](https://github.com/awsdocs/aws-doc-sdk-examples/tree/main/javascript/example_code/dynamodb#code-examples). 

```
// Load the AWS SDK for Node.js
var AWS = require("aws-sdk");
// Set the region
AWS.config.update({ region: "REGION" });

// Create the DynamoDB service object
var ddb = new AWS.DynamoDB({ apiVersion: "2012-08-10" });

var params = {
  TableName: process.argv[2],
};

// Call DynamoDB to retrieve the selected table descriptions
ddb.describeTable(params, function (err, data) {
  if (err) {
    console.log("Error", err);
  } else {
    console.log("Success", data.Table.KeySchema);
  }
});
```
+  For more information, see [AWS SDK for JavaScript Developer Guide](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/sdk-for-javascript/v2/developer-guide/dynamodb-examples-using-tables.html#dynamodb-examples-using-tables-describing-a-table). 
+  For API details, see [DescribeTable](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/goto/AWSJavaScriptSDK/dynamodb-2012-08-10/DescribeTable) in *AWS SDK for JavaScript API Reference*. 

------
#### [ PowerShell ]

**Tools for PowerShell V4**  
**Example 1: Returns details of the specified table.**  

```
Get-DDBTable -TableName "myTable"
```
+  For API details, see [DescribeTable](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/v4/reference) in *AWS Tools for PowerShell Cmdlet Reference (V4)*. 

**Tools for PowerShell V5**  
**Example 1: Returns details of the specified table.**  

```
Get-DDBTable -TableName "myTable"
```
+  For API details, see [DescribeTable](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/v5/reference) in *AWS Tools for PowerShell Cmdlet Reference (V5)*. 

------
#### [ Python ]

**SDK for Python (Boto3)**  
 There's more on GitHub. Find the complete example and learn how to set up and run in the [AWS Code Examples Repository](https://github.com/awsdocs/aws-doc-sdk-examples/tree/main/python/example_code/dynamodb#code-examples). 

```
class Movies:
    """Encapsulates an Amazon DynamoDB table of movie data.

    Example data structure for a movie record in this table:
        {
            "year": 1999,
            "title": "For Love of the Game",
            "info": {
                "directors": ["Sam Raimi"],
                "release_date": "1999-09-15T00:00:00Z",
                "rating": 6.3,
                "plot": "A washed up pitcher flashes through his career.",
                "rank": 4987,
                "running_time_secs": 8220,
                "actors": [
                    "Kevin Costner",
                    "Kelly Preston",
                    "John C. Reilly"
                ]
            }
        }
    """

    def __init__(self, dyn_resource):
        """
        :param dyn_resource: A Boto3 DynamoDB resource.
        """
        self.dyn_resource = dyn_resource
        # The table variable is set during the scenario in the call to
        # 'exists' if the table exists. Otherwise, it is set by 'create_table'.
        self.table = None


    def exists(self, table_name):
        """
        Determines whether a table exists. As a side effect, stores the table in
        a member variable.

        :param table_name: The name of the table to check.
        :return: True when the table exists; otherwise, False.
        """
        try:
            table = self.dyn_resource.Table(table_name)
            table.load()
            exists = True
        except ClientError as err:
            if err.response["Error"]["Code"] == "ResourceNotFoundException":
                exists = False
            else:
                logger.error(
                    "Couldn't check for existence of %s. Here's why: %s: %s",
                    table_name,
                    err.response["Error"]["Code"],
                    err.response["Error"]["Message"],
                )
                raise
        else:
            self.table = table
        return exists
```
+  For API details, see [DescribeTable](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/goto/boto3/dynamodb-2012-08-10/DescribeTable) in *AWS SDK for Python (Boto3) API Reference*. 

------
#### [ Ruby ]

**SDK for Ruby**  
 There's more on GitHub. Find the complete example and learn how to set up and run in the [AWS Code Examples Repository](https://github.com/awsdocs/aws-doc-sdk-examples/tree/main/ruby/example_code/dynamodb#code-examples). 

```
# Encapsulates an Amazon DynamoDB table of movie data.
class Scaffold
  attr_reader :dynamo_resource, :table_name, :table

  def initialize(table_name)
    client = Aws::DynamoDB::Client.new(region: 'us-east-1')
    @dynamo_resource = Aws::DynamoDB::Resource.new(client: client)
    @table_name = table_name
    @table = nil
    @logger = Logger.new($stdout)
    @logger.level = Logger::DEBUG
  end

  # Determines whether a table exists. As a side effect, stores the table in
  # a member variable.
  #
  # @param table_name [String] The name of the table to check.
  # @return [Boolean] True when the table exists; otherwise, False.
  def exists?(table_name)
    @dynamo_resource.client.describe_table(table_name: table_name)
    @logger.debug("Table #{table_name} exists")
  rescue Aws::DynamoDB::Errors::ResourceNotFoundException
    @logger.debug("Table #{table_name} doesn't exist")
    false
  rescue Aws::DynamoDB::Errors::ServiceError => e
    puts("Couldn't check for existence of #{table_name}:\n")
    puts("\t#{e.code}: #{e.message}")
    raise
  end
```
+  For API details, see [DescribeTable](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/goto/SdkForRubyV3/dynamodb-2012-08-10/DescribeTable) in *AWS SDK for Ruby API Reference*. 

------
#### [ SAP ABAP ]

**SDK for SAP ABAP**  
 There's more on GitHub. Find the complete example and learn how to set up and run in the [AWS Code Examples Repository](https://github.com/awsdocs/aws-doc-sdk-examples/tree/main/sap-abap/services/dyn#code-examples). 

```
    TRY.
        oo_result = lo_dyn->describetable( iv_tablename = iv_table_name ).
        DATA(lv_tablename) = oo_result->get_table( )->ask_tablename( ).
        DATA(lv_tablearn) = oo_result->get_table( )->ask_tablearn( ).
        DATA(lv_tablestatus) = oo_result->get_table( )->ask_tablestatus( ).
        DATA(lv_itemcount) = oo_result->get_table( )->ask_itemcount( ).
        MESSAGE 'The table name is ' && lv_tablename
            && '. The table ARN is ' && lv_tablearn
            && '. The tablestatus is ' && lv_tablestatus
            && '. Item count is ' && lv_itemcount TYPE 'I'.
      CATCH /aws1/cx_dynresourcenotfoundex.
        MESSAGE 'The table ' && lv_tablename && ' does not exist' TYPE 'E'.
    ENDTRY.
```
+  For API details, see [DescribeTable](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/sdk-for-sap-abap/v1/api/latest/index.html) in *AWS SDK for SAP ABAP API reference*. 

------

For a complete list of AWS SDK developer guides and code examples, see [Using DynamoDB with an AWS SDK](sdk-general-information-section.md). This topic also includes information about getting started and details about previous SDK versions.