DBeaver / PostgreSQL: "Error: database already exists", but I can't find it

Question

I want to create database called "President" by rightclicking on PostgreSQL and selecting Create Database.

However, I get the error in the screenprint below.

I can create databases with other names like SomeOtherDatabase and SomeOtherDatabase2 (see screenprints).

Any ideas how I can find and delete the database "President" that seems to exist already?

UPDATE!!

If I execute

select * from pg_database 

I get the following result:

So database "President" does seem to exist. (Meanwhile I deleted someOtherDatabase and someOtherDatabase2.)

However, if I execute

drop database President

I get:

Wildon

Answer 1

You can query catalog view pg_database to check if the database already exists:

select datname from pg_database WHERE datname = 'president'

And drop it with drop database:

drop database president;

Note that Postgres' drop database syntax supports the if exists clause, which may come handy in your use case:

drop database if exists president;

Snobbery

Thanks. The database does seem to exist because "select datname from pg_database WHERE datname = 'President'" returns "President". But "drop database President" returns "SQL Error [3D000]: ERROR: database "president" does not exist".. – Wildon

@Frank: you created your database with double quotes, so the name is case sensitive now. You need to use drop database "President". And you should avoid double quoted identifiers in the future – Leigha

@– a_horse_with_no_name, It worked!! Thanks a lot :-) I was completely puzzled and this is definitely useful to know. – Wildon

Answer 2

You can right click on the postgres database and select edit connection option. Under the PostgreSQL tab, check the Show all databases option.

Olnee

Why wouldn't this be the default? – Georgiageorgian

Jesus christ! spent 2 hours trying to figure out. Thanks! – Intersperse

So much thank you on this! Spent at least an hour trying to figure this out! – Gershom

Answer 3

2023 Update

1. Right-click on your connection
2. Click "Edit connection"
3. Left panel, click "Connection settings"
4. Select PostgreSQL tab Check the box "Show all databases"

Folse

This option is not available on my mac M1 – Gastight

Answer 4

2024 Update

The option to show all databases is next to the Database input on my MacBook:

Checking this should also show all available databases.

Flump