title: how to create table if it doesn't exist using Derby Db
body: <p>I am new to <code>apache derby</code> and I cant seem to make work</p>
  
  <pre><code>    CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS table1 ...
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>as can be achieved in <code>MySql</code> etc. I am getting a <code>'Syntax error: Encountered "NOT" at line 1, column 17.'</code>,  when I try to run this <code>SQL</code> statement in my <code>Java</code> program.</p>
  
  <p>I checked in the documentation page for <a href="https://db.apache.org/derby/docs/10.15/ref/rrefsqlj24513.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Derby Db Create Statements</a>, but couldn't find such an alternative.</p>