Syntax:
SHOW [FULL] TABLES [FROM 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/5.1/en/extended-show.html.

This statement also lists any views in the database. 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/5.1/en/show-tables.html

