Change a field name that is a reserved word

I am converting an Interbase 5.6 database that contains column names that
are reserved words in IB2007. It was backed up in IB5.6 and restored into
IB2007 with no problem. If I use IBConsole and manually alter the column
name and save, it works. But I need to automate this process, so I am trying
to use 

ALTER TABLE mytable ALTER colname TO newname

But because it is a reserved word, it doesn't like the command. (One of the
column names in question is "type"). I have tried several things but
can't
seem to get it to work.

Is there a way to get Interbase to accept this, at least enough to allow me
to change the name to something that isn't a reserved word?

Scott Leake wrote:
> I am converting an Interbase 5.6 database that contains column names that
> are reserved words in IB2007. It was backed up in IB5.6 and restored into
> IB2007 with no problem. If I use IBConsole and manually alter the column
> name and save, it works. But I need to automate this process, so I am
trying
> to use 
> 
> ALTER TABLE mytable ALTER colname TO newname
> 
> But because it is a reserved word, it doesn't like the command. (One of
the
> column names in question is "type"). I have tried several things
but can't
> seem to get it to work.
> 
> Is there a way to get Interbase to accept this, at least enough to allow
me
> to change the name to something that isn't a reserved word?
> 

You need to double quote the reserved words.  Remember this makes it case 
sensitive so make sure the column is all caps.

-- 
Jeff Overcash (TeamB)
       (Please do not email me directly unless  asked. Thank You)
And so I patrol in the valley of the shadow of the tricolor
I must fear evil. For I am but mortal and mortals can only die.
Asking questions, pleading answers from the nameless
faceless watchers that stalk the carpeted  corridors of Whitehall.

Do you get the same error in isql?

-- 

On 2/27/08 9:38 PM, in article 47c61ec2$1@newsgroups.borland.com, "Jeff
Overcash (TeamB)" <jeffovercash@mindspring.com> wrote:

> You need to double quote the reserved words.  Remember this makes it case
> sensitive so make sure the column is all caps.

The two columns I am dealing with are PERCENT and TYPE.  In IBConsole, using
Interactive SQL, I put in this statement:

ALTER TABLE footage ALTER "PERCENT" TO pct;

I get back:

SQL error code = -104
Token unknown - line 1, char 26
"PERCENT"

There is definitely a column named PERCENT.

Any thoughts?

Scott

> > You need to double quote the reserved words.  Remember this makes it
case
> > sensitive so make sure the column is all caps.
>
> The two columns I am dealing with are PERCENT and TYPE.  In IBConsole,
using
> Interactive SQL, I put in this statement:
>
> ALTER TABLE footage ALTER "PERCENT" TO pct;
>
> I get back:
>
> SQL error code = -104
> Token unknown - line 1, char 26
> "PERCENT"
>
> There is definitely a column named PERCENT.
>
> Any thoughts?

What is the connection dialect?

I think you need to use dialect 3 to use delimited identifiers.

-- 
Martijn Tonies
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MS SQL Server
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