Does anyone have an aspirin?

I've spent the past 15 minutes trying to get EDBMgr to change a column
type from VarChar to Char and I'm going in circles.

1) Wouldn't it be nice if we could just change the column type of an
existing column like all other db managers? But EDB complains:

'Only the descruption and/or default expression may be modified for the
existing column "First_Name"'.

Yes, I know it all has to do with RI, but since the table isn't using
RI, why the restriction?

2) So I created a new column "First_Name2" and set its column type to
CHAR 15. I then dropped the old column "First_Name" and rename
"First_Name2" to "First_Name". Whew! 5 more columns and 10 more tables
to go. Boy does my head hurts.

3) I then press Ok and EDBMgr complains :Error #700 An error was found
in the statement at line 10 and column 0 (Missing Add, Alter,Drop)"

Tim, maybe you should make this a sobriety test for DUI drivers? After a
few minutes of this the driver's going to beg for mercy and will insist
on being taken away in handcuffs to the local drunk tank. A matter of
fact, I feel like a good stiff drink right about now.

Dave

Dave,

<< 1) Wouldn't it be nice if we could just change the column type of an
existing column like all other db managers?  >>

1.06 will fix this.

<< Yes, I know it all has to do with RI, but since the table isn't using RI,
why the restriction? >>

Actually, it doesn't have anything to do with RI, but rather to do with the
SQL 2003 standard.   There is no provision in the standard for changing the
type of an existing column other than by dropping it and re-adding it.

<< 2) So I created a new column "First_Name2" and set its column type to
CHAR 15. I then dropped the old column "First_Name" and rename "First_Name2"
to "First_Name". Whew! 5 more columns and 10 more tables
to go. Boy does my head hurts. >>

Here's a simpler way - just select the column to drop, drop the column,
change the type, re-add the column, and then move it to the desired
position.  However, if you change the column name in the process also,
please be aware that the old data will not be moved over during the alter.

<< 3) I then press Ok and EDBMgr complains :Error #700 An error was found in
the statement at line 10 and column 0 (Missing Add, Alter,Drop)" >>

Got it.  A fix will be in the next release.  If you use the steps I outlined
above, you should be able to get around this error.

--
Tim Young
Elevate Software
www.elevatesoft.com