How can I alter a table to drop a column if it exists?

Question

Before you flag this as a duplicate, I've read the other question, and it pertains to a different version of MySQL. I'm running the next up major version: MySQL version 5.0.91-community

I need to drop a column if it exists, and I also need to add a column if not exists.

How can I go about doing this in PHP?

I hope I got the correct 'other question', since you say MySQL 5 is the 'next up major version'. — BoltClock, Aug 28 '10 at 02:39
Isn't it sufficient to try to add/remove the column and check if this raises a "1060 duplicate name"/"191 cannot drop field" error? — VolkerK, Aug 28 '10 at 02:46
I don't know, VolkerK. I imagine it would be, but I honestly don't know how to check for that. — Rob, Aug 28 '10 at 02:48
Why not use the second answer from the other question which involves the use of the INFORMATION_SCHEMA views? — Thomas, Aug 28 '10 at 03:32
Possible duplicate of [MySQL Alter syntax to drop a column if it exists](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/173814/mysql-alter-syntax-to-drop-a-column-if-it-exists) — Matthias Winkelmann, Aug 28 '17 at 17:39

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Aug 28 '10 at 02:50

2

You probably need a stored procedure: http://bitkickers.blogspot.com/2010/01/mysql-drop-column-if-exists.html

answered Aug 28 '10 at 02:50

xdissent

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Wait isn't that the same answer from the other question. It's supposed to work with MySQL 5+... – xdissent Aug 28 '10 at 02:53
How would I go about storing this? – Rob Aug 28 '10 at 02:56

How can I alter a table to drop a column if it exists?

1 Answers1