Changing a Database Table

[TheLostGuru]

Is it possible to change a table in a database without just dropping it and recreating it.  As example, I have a photo column which stores an URL, but it seems to only be accepting about 25 characters.  Is there a way I can update the table without starting it over?  Also, when I made the photo column I think I put, photo varchar(25), is there any reason I don't want to make it like varchar(1000), although I know that varchar only accepts 255, so what do I change varchar to?

[Julian]

Hi

 

If you use varchar you can only add 255.  If you want to use more character use BLOB instead.

 

Also, if you want to change the current table use the MySQL:  ALTER TABLE

[pocobueno1388]

Just go into your database, and you should be able to change the field types from there without disrupting anything in the table...unless there is already something inserted into the table that your new field type won't be compatible with.

 

I would probably change the varchar to a TEXT or BLOB type.

[TheLostGuru]

How does the alter table work?  Also what's the difference between TEXT, BLOB, and varchar?

[Julian]

Check this out:

 

http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.0/en/char.html

 

You use alter table command to change current table settings: e.g.:

 

ALTER TABLE `TBL_NAME` CHANGE `FIELD` `FIELD` varchar(100) NOT NULL DEFAULT "Standard"