v.23.10Improvement

Added Settings for DESCRIBE Query: Include Virtual Columns and Compact Output Option

Official CH changelog text
Added setting describe_include_virtual_columns, which allows to include virtual columns of table into result of DESCRIBE query. Added setting describe_compact_output. If it is set to true, DESCRIBE query returns only names and types of columns without extra information. #55129 (Anton Popov).
Added new settings to enhance the DESCRIBE query: describe_include_virtual_columns to include virtual columns in the output, and describe_compact_output to produce a minimal output showing only column names and types.

Why it matters

These settings improve the usability of the DESCRIBE query by allowing users to see virtual columns, which are normally hidden, and by enabling a compact output format that omits extra information, making the output easier to read and parse.

How to use it

Enable the features by setting the new settings in your session or query settings as follows:

SET describe_include_virtual_columns = 1;
SET describe_compact_output = 1;


Then run your usual DESCRIBE query on the table to get the enhanced output.

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