Get column names and data types of a query, table or view

Is there a PostgreSQL query or command that returns the field names and field types of a query, table or view? E.g., a solution if applied to simple SELECT query like SELECT * from person should return a list like: Column Name | Column Type =========================== First Name | character Last Name | character Age | integer Date of Birth | date I have looked up the information_schema views described in an answer below and it seems to cover tables quite well, and I suspect it covers views as well but I haven't checked that yet. The last is any arbitrary but valid SELECT query eg involving, JOINS, UNIONS etc, on the database. Is there a built-in procedure, or other stored procedure or script that can return the same for any valid QUERY at all? I am developing a program that creates data and querying forms and the information is needed for data validation and executing functions on the returned data.