> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://mariadb.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://mariadb.com/docs/server/reference/sql-structure/nosql/handler.md).

# HANDLER

{% columns %}
{% column %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/1vh0mZoDbocJdC3SqchM" %}
[HANDLER](/docs/server/reference/sql-structure/nosql/handler/handler-commands.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endcolumn %}

{% column %}
Access storage engine interfaces directly for key lookups and key or table scans with the HANDLER statement's OPEN, READ, and CLOSE commands.
{% endcolumn %}
{% endcolumns %}

{% columns %}
{% column %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/Reyz4iAp5JHIY1ym4BHX" %}
[HANDLER for MEMORY Tables](/docs/server/reference/sql-structure/nosql/handler/handler-for-memory-tables.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endcolumn %}

{% column %}
Use HANDLER commands efficiently with MEMORY/HEAP tables, including creating BTREE keys for range scans and the limitations of HASH keys, BTREE keys, and table scans.
{% endcolumn %}
{% endcolumns %}