Re: alter column from varchar(32) to varchar(255) without view re-creation - Mailing list pgsql-sql

>> PostgreSQL 8.0.15.
>> Is there a way that I can easily alter column type from varchar(32) to
>> varchar(255) but do not have to worry about views dependent on it?

> You should test it carefully and it is considered a bad practice -
> I'll probably get sued for recommending this :-), but you may try:
> 
> SELECT * from pg_attribute where attname = 'colname' and  attrelid =
> (SELECT oid FROM pg_class WHERE relname='_tablename');
> 
> UPDATE pg_attribute set atttypmod = 4+_new_length_in_your_case_255
> where attrelid = _attrelid_from_above_ and attname = 'colname';

I am afraid that only admin can do this dictionary change :(

If it does work, would it cause any storage or efficiency problem? Or it 
is just permission issues probably?

Thank you,

--
Lu Ying