Syntax:
SHOW [FULL] TABLES [{FROM | IN} db_name]
    [LIKE 'pattern' | WHERE expr]

SHOW TABLES lists the non-TEMPORARY tables in a given database. You can
also get this list using the mysqlshow db_name command. The LIKE
clause, if present, indicates which table names to match. The WHERE
clause can be given to select rows using more general conditions, as
discussed in http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.0/en/extended-show.html.

Before MySQL 5.0.1, the output from SHOW TABLES contains a single
column of table names. Beginning with MySQL 5.0.1, this statement also
lists any views in the database. As of MySQL 5.0.2, the FULL modifier
is supported such that SHOW FULL TABLES displays a second output
column. Values for the second column are BASE TABLE for a table and
VIEW for a view.

If you have no privileges for a base table or view, it does not show up
in the output from SHOW TABLES or mysqlshow db_name.

URL: http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.0/en/show-tables.html

