Sybase IQ system tables and views are objects that contain all of the information the database server needs to manage your Sybase IQ system. System views present the information from their corresponding system tables in a more readable format.
The system tables reside in the catalog store, and are sometimes called catalog tables. Access to system tables is only through system views. The SYS user ID owns the system tables.
Among the information in the system tables is:
Database characteristics
Table characteristics, including table definitions and information about the size and location of each table
Information about indexes
Current settings for database and Interactive SQL options
For a complete description of system tables and views and their contents, see Reference: Building Blocks, Tables, and Procedures.