> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.firebolt.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

> Reference and syntax for the ALTER DATABASE command.

# ALTER DATABASE

Updates the configuration of the specified database.

## ALTER DATABASE DESCRIPTION

### Syntax

```sql theme={"theme":{"light":"css-variables","dark":"css-variables"}}
ALTER DATABASE <database_name> SET DESCRIPTION = <description>
```

### Parameters

| Parameter         | Description                             |
| :---------------- | :-------------------------------------- |
| `<database_name>` | The name of the database to be altered. |
| `<description>`   | The description of the database.        |

### Example

The following example alters a description of the database:

```sql theme={"theme":{"light":"css-variables","dark":"css-variables"}}
ALTER DATABASE my_database SET DESCRIPTION = 'Database for query management';
```

## ALTER DATABASE RENAME TO

Renames the specified database.

### Syntax

```sql theme={"theme":{"light":"css-variables","dark":"css-variables"}}
ALTER DATABASE <database_name> RENAME TO <new_database_name>
```

### Parameters

| Parameter             | Description                         |
| :-------------------- | :---------------------------------- |
| `<database_name>`     | The name of the database to rename. |
| `<new_database_name>` | The new name of the database.       |

## ALTER DATABASE OWNER TO

Change the owner of a database. The current owner of a database can be viewed in the [information\_schema.catalogs](/reference-sql/information-schema/catalogs) view on `catalog_owner` column.

check [ownership](/security/guides/ownership) page for more info.

### Syntax

```sql theme={"theme":{"light":"css-variables","dark":"css-variables"}}
ALTER DATABASE [IF EXISTS] <database_name> OWNER TO <user>
```

### Parameters

| Parameter         | Description                                                              |
| :---------------- | :----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `<database_name>` | The name of the database to change the owner of.                         |
| `<user>`          | The new owner of the database. Can be either a user name or a role name. |