# system.databases

The managed database inventory is available through the server before a database is selected. Names are case-insensitive.

## Columns

| Name       | Meaning                             |
| ---------- | ----------------------------------- |
| id         | Positive integer database identity. |
| name       | Registered database name.           |
| created_at | Registration timestamp.             |
| file_path  | Registered database file path.      |

INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE support validated inventory management after database selection. Use CREATE DATABASE for ordinary creation and USE to select a database; ordinary table DDL manages the objects within it.

## Example

```sql
SELECT name
FROM system.databases
WHERE name = 'data'
FORMAT csv;
```

```text
"data"
```

Always qualify the relation with system. A standalone embedded application opens a file or in-memory database through Connection instead of using this inventory.

See [`CREATE DATABASE`](https://coordinatordb.com/docs/reference/statements/create/database), [`USE`](https://coordinatordb.com/docs/reference/statements/use) and [deployment modes](https://coordinatordb.com/docs/get-started/about/deployment-modes).