On Thu, Nov 14, 2019 at 10:12:22AM -0500, Tom Lane wrote: > Adrian Klaver <adrian.klaver@xxxxxxxxxxx> writes: > > On 11/14/19 5:53 AM, stan wrote: > >> I am trying to add columns to a view using CREATE OR REPLACE VIEW, and I am > >> getting the following error: > >> ERROR: cannot change name of view column "descrip" to "contact_person_1" > >> Am I missing something here? > > > https://www.postgresql.org/docs/11/sql-createview.html > > > "CREATE OR REPLACE VIEW is similar, but if a view of the same name > > already exists, it is replaced. The new query must generate the same > > columns that were generated by the existing view query (that is, the > > same column names in the same order and with the same data types), but > > it may add additional columns to the end of the list. The calculations > > giving rise to the output columns may be completely different." > > Yeah, the important point being that you can only add columns at the > *end* of the view, just like you can only add table columns at the > end. The same-names-and-types check is intended to catch simple > mistakes in this area. > > If you actually want to rename an existing view column, use > ALTER TABLE ... RENAME COLUMN ... for that. (We probably ought > to offer an ALTER VIEW spelling of that, but we don't ATM. > ALTER TABLE works though.) Thanks. I am just starting to explore this area at all. I thought I just added a column to a table, and did not realize that it was apended as the last column. Don't see why I care in that case, though. -- "They that would give up essential liberty for temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin
