mysql> explain select -> ; ERROR 1064 (42000): You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near '' at line 1 mysql> explain SELECT * FROM item_list AS t1 LEFT JOIN item_media AS t2 ON t1.mid=t2.mid WHERE t1.types='0' ORDER BY t1.ilid DESC LIMIT 6; +----+-------------+-------+------+---------------+------+---------+------+------+----------------------------------------------+ | id | select_type | table | type | possible_keys | key | key_len | ref | rows | Extra | +----+-------------+-------+------+---------------+------+---------+------+------+----------------------------------------------+ | 1 | SIMPLE | t1 | ALL | NULL | NULL | NULL | NULL | 2697 | Using where; Using temporary; Using filesort | | 1 | SIMPLE | t2 | ALL | NULL | NULL | NULL | NULL | 2697 | | +----+-------------+-------+------+---------------+------+---------+------+------+----------------------------------------------+ 2 rows in set (0.00 sec)