Re: Alter table add column ignores default

On 05 May 2001 12:23:37 -0400, pgsql-bugs(at)postgresql(dot)org wrote:
> Vince Vielhaber (vev(at)hub(dot)org) reports a bug with a severity of 3
> The lower the number the more severe it is.
>
> Short Description
> Alter table add column ignores default
>
> Long Description
> Alter table add column ignores the default values in both v7.0x and 7.1. In the example code the table is created with one column having a default value of 'none'. An ALTER TABLE is done adding another varchar column also with a default value. \d table only shows the default from the create, not the alter. An insert also fails to add the default.
>
>
>
> Sample Code
> foo=# create table foobar(name varchar(20),nickname varchar(10) default 'none');
> CREATE
> foo=# \d foobar
> Table "foobar"
> Attribute | Type | Modifier
> -----------+-------------+----------------
> name | varchar(20) |
> nickname | varchar(10) | default 'none'
>
> foo=# alter table foobar add column address varchar(50) default 'none';

http://hermes.swu.bg/postgres/postgres/sql-altertable.htm
The correct syntax is:
ALTER TABLE foobar add column address varchar(50);
ALTER TABLE foobar alter column address set default 'none';

cu
--
Nabil Sayegh