> 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-statements/administrative-sql-statements.md).

# Administrative Statements

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{% content-ref url="/pages/DpQaCSDg5jnmwpIG4aK3" %}
[BINLOG](/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/administrative-sql-statements/binlog.md)
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{% endcolumn %}

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Executes binary log events directly using base64-encoded data. Primarily used by the mariadb-binlog utility to re-apply events to the server.
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{% column %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/IlsIf8ih6mhsOTwtYMFQ" %}
[CACHE INDEX](/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/administrative-sql-statements/cache-index.md)
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{% endcolumn %}

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Assigns specific table indices to a named key cache. Optimizes server performance by preloading or dedicating memory to frequently accessed keys.
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{% content-ref url="/pages/Jro39YHNuQHfNF3ScSmp" %}
[DESCRIBE](/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/administrative-sql-statements/describe.md)
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Provides information about a table's columns. Acts as a shortcut for SHOW COLUMNS, displaying field names, types, and other attributes.
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{% content-ref url="/pages/eSw1uojk2JMySQ16BvPR" %}
[HELP Command](/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/administrative-sql-statements/help-command.md)
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Displays help information from the server's help tables. Useful for looking up SQL syntax and command descriptions directly from the client.
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{% column %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/XPtnomoWCq0fUafXCaSB" %}
[KILL](/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/administrative-sql-statements/kill.md)
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{% endcolumn %}

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Terminates a specific connection or query. Allows administrators to stop runaway threads or disconnect users to free up server resources.
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{% column %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/i6zcYzojumGQuDDpNv8r" %}
[PURGE BINARY LOGS](/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/administrative-sql-statements/purge-binary-logs.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endcolumn %}

{% column %}
Official PURGE BINARY LOGS syntax: delete binlogs using TO 'log\_name' or BEFORE datetime\_expr, replica read constraints, and SHOW BINARY LOGS commands.
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{% endcolumns %}

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{% column %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/t4X38tTGH5o4w1QIvFme" %}
[RESET](/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/administrative-sql-statements/reset.md)
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{% endcolumn %}

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Clears internal server buffers, caches, and status variables. Resets state information like the query cache or replication status without a restart.
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{% column %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/BavcBe41O3u9uzxPmnW1" %}
[SHUTDOWN](/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/administrative-sql-statements/shutdown.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endcolumn %}

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Stops the MariaDB server process. Allows a client with the SHUTDOWN privilege to cleanly power down the database instance.
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{% column %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/uvxsrVdoxJ3wq4O277j4" %}
[ANALYZE and EXPLAIN Statements](/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/administrative-sql-statements/analyze-and-explain-statements.md)
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Learn commands for query analysis. This section covers ANALYZE TABLE and EXPLAIN, used to view execution plans and optimize query performance.
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{% content-ref url="/pages/I87nH3QwRdAa1wzTJFGQ" %}
[BACKUP Statements](/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/administrative-sql-statements/backup-commands.md)
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{% endcolumn %}

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Learn about backup statements for MariaDB Server. This section details SQL statements and utilities for creating consistent database backups, essential for disaster recovery and data protection.
{% endcolumn %}
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{% column %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/TMpc0N1kWpH7bDTuqA1Q" %}
[FLUSH Statements](/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/administrative-sql-statements/flush-commands.md)
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Explore commands to clear internal caches. Learn to use FLUSH to reload privileges, clear the query cache, or close open tables.
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{% column %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/jWjoHve5MxvVcRJQ61rw" %}
[Plugin Statements](/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/administrative-sql-statements/plugin-sql-statements.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endcolumn %}

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Manage server plugins. This section covers INSTALL PLUGIN, UNINSTALL PLUGIN, and SHOW PLUGINS for extending server functionality.
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{% endcolumns %}

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{% column %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/yOQKirm0LTKEZDcv2Jqd" %}
[Replication Statements](/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/administrative-sql-statements/replication-statements.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endcolumn %}

{% column %}
Control replication topologies. Learn statements like CHANGE MASTER TO and START SLAVE to configure primaries and replicas.
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{% endcolumns %}

{% columns %}
{% column %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/Mp9SryIo9a9GfYPrdY3D" %}
[SET Statements](/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/administrative-sql-statements/set-commands.md)
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{% endcolumn %}

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Assign values to system variables. Learn to use the SET statement to configure GLOBAL and SESSION variables for tuning server behavior.
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{% endcolumns %}

{% columns %}
{% column %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/3XQRL48j39b6E9oxbnq4" %}
[SHOW Statements](/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/administrative-sql-statements/show.md)
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{% endcolumn %}

{% column %}
View server metadata and status. This section lists SHOW statements for inspecting databases, tables, variables, and performance metrics.
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