I need to make changes in a database, and I want to know if there are
any reasons I should work with SQL or with Restructure code.

The changes I need to make are to add some fields, redefine the length
of a few string fields, change the datatables' version numbers, and add
a trivial degree of password protection.

I should tell you at once that I am still using D4 and dbIsam 2.12.
They're old, they dont have a lot of features I would like to have, but
for my purposes they work well, and they have the major advantage of
familiarity.  I hope that you still are familiar with the old version
and that I will still be able to get help here; this forum has been
wonderful to me in the past.

Jerry Blumenthal

Jerry,

I always use ALTER TABLE

I have an app in place that has made many changes to the table and there has never been any problems.
Quick, easy ... done deal.

Regards,
Scott.

"Jerry Blumenthal" <jerry@blumenthalsoftware.com> wrote in message
news:0227D798-76CA-4C29-93C0-BF84B2E1E108@news.elevatesoft.com...
>I need to make changes in a database, and I want to know if there are any reasons I should work with SQL or with
>Restructure code.
>
> The changes I need to make are to add some fields, redefine the length of a few string fields, change the datatables'
> version numbers, and add a trivial degree of password protection.
>
> I should tell you at once that I am still using D4 and dbIsam 2.12. They're old, they dont have a lot of features I
> would like to have, but for my purposes they work well, and they have the major advantage of familiarity.  I hope that
> you still are familiar with the old version and that I will still be able to get help here; this forum has been
> wonderful to me in the past.
>
> Jerry Blumenthal

"Scott Martin" <scottmartin@pdq.net> wrote in message
news:C655C9F6-ED00-48C0-BD71-BC4798AC3487@news.elevatesoft.com...
> Jerry,
>
> I always use ALTER TABLE
>
> I have an app in place that has made many changes to the table and there
> has never been any problems.
> Quick, easy ... done deal.
>

Plus SQL does not require recompilation of programs. I have a program to
apply the upgrades: reads the SQL, ensures that you are in exclusive mode,
does a backup, and applies the upgrade. You can use the same mechanism for
"ALTER TABLE" or for cases where a customer table is messed up and needs to
be fixed in place. All you need to send them is a small SQL file, that can
usually be emailed as an attachment.

Robert

*SLAP*, I could of have a V8 .....

That never crossed my mind.. to not compile it into the code and have it as a dynamic script!

Guess what I will be doing next ...

Regards,
Scott

> Plus SQL does not require recompilation of programs. I have a program to apply the upgrades: reads the SQL, ensures
> that you are in exclusive mode, does a backup, and applies the upgrade. You can use the same mechanism for "ALTER
> TABLE" or for cases where a customer table is messed up and needs to be fixed in place. All you need to send them is a
> small SQL file, that can usually be emailed as an attachment.
>
> Robert
>
>
>

Thanks to both of you.  I appreciate it.
Jerry