DROP TABLE removes tables from the database. Only its owner may destroy a table. A table may be emptied of rows, but not destroyed, by using DELETE.
If a table being destroyed has secondary indexes on it, they will be removed first. The removal of just a secondary index will not affect the contents of the underlying table.
SQL92 specifies some additional capabilities for DROP TABLE:
DROP TABLE table { RESTRICT | CASCADE }
Ensures that only a table with no dependent views or integrity constraints can be destroyed.
Any referencing views or integrity constraints will also be dropped.
Tip: At present, to remove a referenced view you must drop it explicitly.