Re: commit during alter table drop column

In fact you can break up the drop column operation by use of the CHECKPOINT clause - this will reduce the requirement for UNDO.

ALTER TABLE table_name DROP COLUMN column_name CHECKPOINT n;

see...

http://otn.oracle.com/docs/products/oracle9i/doc_library/901_doc/server- 901/a90125/statements_32.htm#2085151

However, Sybrand's advice stands, dropping column requires entire table to be rewritten and this is extremely expensive for a number of reasons. I would question whether you need to do this - If you must remove the column, consider also if you can utilise the SET UNUSED clause (same page in Oracle docs).

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Padderz
SYSOP, RevealNet PL/SQL Pipeline
Senior Oracle Developer, Cellular Operations UK

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