Increase in field length will result in data loss ?

Question

Hi,

If we increase the field width [say varchar(7) to varchar(20)] will it result in data loss? This is to be done in Firebird 1.5 database.

Thank you.

Answer 1

No, as you are increasing the size of the column there will be no data loss.

Of course you should, if at all possible, first do this on a copy of your production database to ensure you are happy with the result.

Answer 2

Not if you are increasing the size:

ALTER TABLE t1 ALTER c1 TYPE char(90);

Reducing is always the problem:

http://www.firebirdfaq.org/faq285/

You should look at using FlameRobin as an administrative tool to manage dependencies and simplify working with FireBird.

http://www.flamerobin.org/