Thread: Change column type from int to bigint - quickest way

Hi,

we have a pretty big table with an integer-type primary key. I'm looking for the quickest way to change the column type
tobigint to avoid hitting the integer limit. We're trying to avoid prolonged lock situations and full table rewrites. 

I know I can hack this with an UPDATE on pg_attribute:

-- change id type to bigint
update pg_attribute set atttypid=20 where attrelid=264782 and attname = 'id';

After that I'd need to reflect the change on dependent objects like views as well.

Is this safe to do? Are there any unwanted consequences to this?

This is still on 9.1 unfortunately - upgrade is going to follow soon after this.

Thanks!
Andreas

Andreas Brandl <ml@3.141592654.de> writes:
> we have a pretty big table with an integer-type primary key. I'm looking for the quickest way to change the column
typeto bigint to avoid hitting the integer limit. We're trying to avoid prolonged lock situations and full table
rewrites.

You have no choice.  Those types are different sizes so there is no way
to avoid a table rewrite.

> I know I can hack this with an UPDATE on pg_attribute:
> -- change id type to bigint
> update pg_attribute set atttypid=20 where attrelid=264782 and attname = 'id';

That WILL break your table.

            regards, tom lane

Hi,

we have a pretty big table with an integer-type primary key. I'm looking for the quickest way to change the column type to bigint to avoid hitting the integer limit. We're trying to avoid prolonged lock situations and full table rewrites.

I know I can hack this with an UPDATE on pg_attribute:

-- change id type to bigint
update pg_attribute set atttypid=20 where attrelid=264782 and attname = 'id';

After that I'd need to reflect the change on dependent objects like views as well.

Is this safe to do? Are there any unwanted consequences to this?

This is still on 9.1 unfortunately - upgrade is going to follow soon after this.

Thanks!
Andreas