Re: really dumb oracle newbie question:

Ralf Sandner wrote:
>
> hi...
>
> i feel like a complete dork: i just can't figure out the correct
> syntax to delete a column from an existing table...
>
> i tried
>
> ALTER TABLE -tablename-
> DROP (-columnname-);
>
> and after getting a "missing" keyword error
>
> ALTER TABLE -tablename-
> DROP COLUMN (-columnname-);
>
> but both did not work...
>
> there is no key or index on the column and there is no data stored
>
> --
> Ralf Sandner email: r.sandner_at_system-design.com
> System-Design GmbH rsandner_at_haitec.de
> Planstr. 25 www: http://www.system-design.com
> D-71229 Leonberg-Warmbronn Tel.: +49 07152 9764 786

I'm afraid you can't drop a column from a table.

The best you can do is:
1) Ignore it (just don't reference it: it isn't doing any harm!) 2) Create a view which omits reference to it (such a view is updatable, insertable, etc)
3) Create a new table from the old one by selecting just those columns you want, with appropriate re-naming, and then dropping the old table.

HTH

-- 
Chrysalis

FABRICATI DIEM, PVNC
('To Protect and to Serve')
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