Re: changing data definition

The only way that I can think of is to create a temporary table with exactly the same definition and populate it with all the data. Empty that column and change the precision (alter table modify..blah..) and do a insert into original_table (select * from tmp_table where key1=key2..).

Hope it helps.

Alan Lee
BSI Consulting
Houston, Texas

In article <3709DC81.93C858EB_at_student.unsw.edu.au>,   Ray Wang <z2156808_at_student.unsw.edu.au> wrote:
> how can i alter a columns type from number to number(15,2)
>
> of course the column is populated .... i need a way to make this
> conversion without emptying the columns.
>
> say
>
> alter table tablename ( id number(15,2));
>
> id used to be number
>
> oracle would spit out cannot decrease precision ... blah blah.
> i understand the inconsistency involved but is there any way around this
> problem?
>
> i know i can spool to a flat file and do a direct load .
> or
> create a skeleton and insert
>
> both of which will have a time penalty as opposing to
> just alter.
>
> is there anyway to do a create table that can do the data type
> conversion implicitly?
>
> bear in mind i am altering thecolumn type here not data type ...
>
> any help will greatly appreciated.
>
> thanks
>
> --ray
>

-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==---------- http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own Received on Thu Apr 08 1999 - 10:48:03 CDT