# System tables

System relations expose server metadata, effective settings and request observations. Always use the system qualifier to distinguish them from user tables.

## Read and manage

Live metadata and observation relations are read-only. databases, tables and settings also support validated management writes after a database is selected. Ordinary table changes should use CREATE, ALTER and DROP; use the documented setting interface for each name.

Some catalogs, such as databases, formats and functions, can be read before USE. A standalone embedded connection does not provide these service relations.

## Inventory

system.system_tables is a read-only view with schema_name and table_name columns. SHOW SYSTEM TABLES presents the same service inventory.

## Relations

* [system.columns](https://coordinatordb.com/docs/reference/system-tables/columns)
* [system.databases](https://coordinatordb.com/docs/reference/system-tables/databases)
* [system.formats](https://coordinatordb.com/docs/reference/system-tables/formats)
* [system.functions](https://coordinatordb.com/docs/reference/system-tables/functions)
* [system.processes](https://coordinatordb.com/docs/reference/system-tables/processes)
* [system.query_log](https://coordinatordb.com/docs/reference/system-tables/query-log)
* [system.settings](https://coordinatordb.com/docs/reference/system-tables/settings)
* [system.tables](https://coordinatordb.com/docs/reference/system-tables/tables)