> I would like to get the columns from a view or table when performing a
> query. The user is able to create his/her own select query and before
> actually performing a query (which could take some time), I would like
> to know the columns beforehand.
>
> I had the idea to attach 1=2 to the users query, as in:
>
> select xxx
> from tableX
> where 1=2
>
> Is this the best way to handle it?
> The thing I would like to get is to know the columns of the select
> query, without performing a huge query

Use
select xxx
from tableX
but only prepare it, do not execute it.

Ivan