topic Re: Table entry becomes null when field name is updated using database utility in Application Development and Automation Discussions

Table entry becomes null when field name is updated using database utility

Former Member — Fri, 04 Jan 2019 15:39:48 GMT

Hello,

I created a table in se11. I added entries to the table but after some time i changed a field name. So to activate the table i go to database utility and activate it with option persist data.

But strangely the data in the field becomes null after the change.

The table fields are provided in below screenshot

I make the changes to the field emp_address to EMP_ADDRESS1. The new output from se16 is below.

Can anyone tell why this is happening?

Re: Table entry becomes null when field name is updated using database utility

Former Member — Fri, 04 Jan 2019 16:16:48 GMT

Strange ? No I don't think so. You removed EMP_ADDRESS and added EMP_ADDRESS1. The DB Utility recognises fields by name when saving data, not by position so since EMP_ADDRESS1 is not the same as EMP_ADDRESS your data was not preserved.

Rich

Re: Table entry becomes null when field name is updated using database utility

Former Member — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 05:25:43 GMT

thanks Richard.

So it is an expected behaviour.

Is there a way to keep the data as it is and change the column name?

Re: Table entry becomes null when field name is updated using database utility

chaouki_akir — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 12:13:29 GMT

Richard gives you the correct answer ==> you should have choose his answer as the best answer

Re: Table entry becomes null when field name is updated using database utility

Sandra_Rossi — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 12:23:44 GMT

I second Chaouki Akir !

Re: Table entry becomes null when field name is updated using database utility

Sandra_Rossi — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 12:30:22 GMT

@joby chacko i.e. your data is now lost forever.
So to rename a column emp_address to emp_address1, you should:
1) add a new column emp_address1 and keep the old one (emp_address)
2) activate the table
3) Via any SQL editor, do : "update ZYOURTABLE set emp_address1 = emp_address"
4) delete the column emp_address
5) activate the table via the database utility.

Re: Table entry becomes null when field name is updated using database utility

Former Member — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 15:58:19 GMT

sandra.rossi Thank you. I understood it now.