You can execute many SQL commands that modify the schema against a running database.

The following SQL commands can be executed against an online database:

  • ALTER TABLE ADD COLUMN
Note: The ALTER TABLE command for adding a LOB column is also an online operation. The ALTER TABLE command for dropping a LOB column is an offline operation. For further information, see ALTER TABLE.
  • ALTER TABLE ALTER COLUMN
  • ALTER TABLE RENAME COLUMN
  • ALTER TABLE ALTER COLUMN SET PRO_SQL_WIDTH
  • ALTER TABLE ADD PARTITION
  • ALTER TABLE ALTER INDEX
  • ALTER TABLE RENAME INDEX
  • ALTER TABLE DROP PARTITION
  • ALTER TABLE DROP COLUMN
  • ALTER TABLE PREPARE FOR SPLIT
Note: For databases enabled for OpenEdge Replication, the RENAME COLUMN statement is an offline operation. For further information, see ALTER TABLE RENAME COLUMN.
Note: The RENAME COLUMN command for splitting a composite partition (SPLIT PRO_INITIAL) and splitting a RANGE partition is also an online operation. For further information, see OpenEdge SQL Reference.
  • CREATE INDEX
Note: Inactive indexes can be created online. Local and global (inactive) indexes are also created online. Active indexes can only be created online if they are created on a newly created table within the same transaction as the CREATE TABLE. For further information, see CREATE TABLE.
  • CREATE SEQUENCE
  • CREATE STORED PROCEDURE
  • CREATE SYNONYM
  • CREATE TABLE
  • CREATE TRIGGER
  • CREATE VIEW
  • DROP PROCEDURE
  • DROP TRIGGER
Note: For databases enabled for OpenEdge Replication, the DROP PROCEDURE and DROP TRIGGER statements are offline operations.
  • DROP SYNONYM
  • DROP TABLE
Note: The DROP TABLE statement is an online operation only in certain cases. For further information, see DROP TABLE.
  • DROP VIEW
  • GRANT
  • REVOKE
    Note:

    GRANT and REVOKE statements can be used an online schema change method that provides much higher concurrency than the other SQL online schema operations. This schema change method limits the effects of GRANT and REVOKE to only SQL authorization schema data.

    Specifically, GRANT and REVOKE no longer have any impact on ABL procedures, ABL logins, or ABL execution in general.

  • SET ENCRYPT
  • SET DECRYPT
  • SET BUFFER_POOL

For syntax and specific information about each command, see OpenEdge SQL Reference.