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Methods to add new columns to an current desk in SQL Server database? Instance tutorial


Good day guys, including a brand new column to an current desk with knowledge is all the time tough and should you do not pay sufficient due diligence then you definately threat of corrupting or deleting current knowledge. It’s essential know what knowledge is there, how a lot knowledge is there, to gauge how lengthy your question is gonna take to finish in manufacturing. Additionally, you can’t add NOT NULL columns into an current desk if they don’t seem to be empty and you do not have a default worth specified. If you already know SQL then you definately in all probability know that you would be able to add columns to an current desk in SQL Server utilizing the ALTER command. It not solely means that you can add a column however to drop columns as nicely.

You too can add or drop constraints utilizing the ALTER command. Btw, it’s worthwhile to watch out whereas doing something with current tables due to the info inside, which presents some challenges whereas including new columns or dropping current ones.

You additionally have to be cautious about how lengthy your question goes to take to finish in manufacturing. For instance, once you add new columns to the prevailing tables like suppose your desk incorporates 10M rows then including a brand new column could be just a little bit sluggish as a result of the default worth needs to be populated on these 10M rows, it would additionally have an effect on indexes, database stats, and so forth.

Anyway, On this article, you’ll find out about SQL question or command so as to add new columns into the prevailing desk in SQL Server 2008, 2012, and different variations.

SQL question so as to add columns into an current desk

As I stated you should utilize the ALTER SQL clause for modifying an current desk. You need to use the next SQL question so as to add columns into an current desk in SQL Server 2008:

ALTER TABLE dbo.StudentRcords ADD hobbies VARCHAR(50) NULL;

Once you add a brand new column to the prevailing desk with knowledge, it is necessary you give a default worth or make it NULLABLE, as you want some values for use with current rows.

When you make the hobbies column NOT NULL then the above question won’t work as proven under:

ALTER TABLE dbo.StudentRcords ADD hobbies VARCHAR(50) NOT NULL;

ALTER TABLE solely permits columns to be added that may comprise nulls, or have a DEFAULT definition specified, or the column being added is an id or timestamp column, or alternatively if not one of the earlier situations are happy the desk should be empty to permit the addition of this column. Column’s’ hobbies’ can’t be added to the non-empty desk ‘StudentRecords’ as a result of it doesn’t fulfill these situations.

If you wish to ensure it isn’t null then you will need to present a default worth as proven under:

ALTER TABLE dbo.StudentRcords 
ADD hobbies VARCHAR(50) NOT NULL DEFAULT "Cricket";

By the best way, you can even add a couple of column into an current desk in a single ALTER question. You simply have to separate them by way of comma as proven under:

ALTER TABLE dbo.StudentRcords 
ADD hobbies VARCHAR(50) NULL, acitivity_score INT NULL;

This question provides two columns, first hobbies, and second activity_score into the StudentRecords desk.

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SQL Server ALTER TABLE ADD COLUMN Instance

Now, let’s have a look at a reside instance the place we are going to attempt to add a column into an current desk utilizing SQL Server Administration Studio Question Editor:

We now have an current desk known as Take a look at.dbo.Buyer, which has two columns customer_id and customer_name, and we are going to add a brand new column known as customer_address into the desk. 

By the best way, do not observe this naming conference, as an alternative of customer_id, it is best to simply title the column id, title, and deal with. Buyer data is redundant as a result of you already know they’re buyer data as they’re within the Buyer desk. 

How to add columns into existing table in SQL Server with example

All the things went tremendous as a result of we selected the constraint as NULL, had we now have made customer_address NOT NULL, you’ll have gotten the under error as a result of the prevailing desk will not be empty.

SQL Server ALTER table Add Column with NOT NULL constraint

With the intention to add a NOT NULL constraint on a brand new column into an current desk, both it’s important to make the desk empty or it’s worthwhile to present  a default worth e.g. empty addresses as proven under:

SQL Server ALTER table ADD column NOT NULL with default values

You possibly can see that this time the ALTER assertion is profitable and you can even see the customer_address column added with empty values. 

That is all about add a brand new column into an current desk in SQL Server. It is all the time tough in case your current desk will not be empty. In truth, one thing including a brand new column within the manufacturing database takes fairly a very long time relying upon how a lot knowledge you might have. You even have limitations upon including NOT NULL constraints as you will need to present a default worth for use for current rows.

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Thanks for studying this text, should you like this SQL tutorial.. You probably have any questions or suggestions, then please drop a notice.



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