Adding Column What harm could it do

[rac2]

So I am thinking about adding a column to an existing database which is part of a proprietary application we are licensed to use.

Using Enterprise Manager to do this I get a dialog box with a warning, The following tables will be saved to your database! Do you want to continue? It lists a dozen tables most with the note (not on the diagram). There is a button to Save Text File which apparently saves this list of tables but it is not clear whether this option also makes the changes.

I thought what harm could there be to add another column? Now I am not so sure. I haven't pushed the button yet. Any advice?

 

[nigelrivett]

Depends what it does.
You can also use alter table to add a column - but this can also cause problems
see

http://www.nigelrivett.net/AlterTableProblems.html

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Cursors are useful if you don't know sql.
DTS can be used in a similar way.
Beer is not cold and it isn't fizzy.

 

[SQLBill]

part of a proprietary application

This could be a BAD thing for you! If you add/remove/change parts of a proprietary application/database/whatever, it may violate any support agreement you have with your vendor. It might also cause any vendor updates/upgrades to fail.

You should ALWAYS check with your vendor or support agreement/license before making changes to proprietary applications.

-SQLBill