> ## Documentation Index
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# The information_schema database in MySQL

> Discover MySQL's information_schema database and learn about character sets, with links to related articles.

This article provides information about the **information\_schema** database in MySQL.

## About the information\_schema database

The **information\_schema** database is a virtual database that MySQL uses to store information about your databases and other settings. For example, you can query the **information\_schema** database to obtain information about character sets, statistics, and much more.

Although you can query tables in the **information\_schema** database, you cannot modify them. You also cannot delete the **information\_schema** database.

To see an example of the **information\_schema** database in action, please see [this article](/docs/convert-mysql-database-utf-8).

## More information

For more information about the **information\_schema** database in MySQL, please visit [http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.5/en/information-schema.html](http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.5/en/information-schema.html).