We all know as SQL professionals that a common use of the ALTER TABLE command is that we can change a tables’ structure in a myriad number of ways. And, that’s a good thing too because chances are, you won’t always nail down the initial structure. Due to changing business or application requirements, you may even have to add additional columns that were not considered during the schema design phase. Suppose you have many tables that are structured similarly and they all need a specific column added to their already-existing design. Under certain circumstances, using the MySQL Shell in Python mode (\py), can reduce the number of manual ALTER TABLE statements you have to type. Continue reading to see examples in the MySQL Shell…
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MySQL IFNULL() function usage in SELECT queries
We all know as SQL professionals that the NULL marker is a special case. Oftentimes, you have NULL‘s stored in your tables, and that’s fine. Suppose you want to present an alternative value in query results where some of the columns have NULL? This is a perfect opportunity (but not the only) to use the IFNULL() function. I find IFNULL() quite useful when exporting query results to a CSV file or other type of flat file, providing something more meaningful than the NULL word itself. However, you only have one substitute for the NULL value when using IFNULL(), so keep that in mind. Continue reading and see examples using IFNULL() in SELECT queries…
MySQL Shell Python mode for multiple ALTER TABLE statements – easily
There may come a time you need to rename one or more columns in an existing MySQL table for a variety of reasons. Using ALTER TABLE, to rename a column is an easy enough command. But, suppose there are multiple tables in the same database/schema that have the same-named column and all of those columns need to be renamed. That could be a lot of ALTER TABLE statements to type out. Save your energy and time, avoiding all of those ALTER TABLE commands all-together. If you are lucky enough to be working with a MySQL version > 8.0 then the Shell is your salvation. With just a few lines of Python code in \py mode, all of your trouble(s) and headache(s) are no more…
MySQL EXTRACT() method for specific DATE and TIME values
Date and time values are some of the most important datatypes in an RDBMS. From tracking order dates to payroll hours, DATE and DATETIME datatypes are used in all types of applications. At times as a Developer, you may need only certain portions of a DATE or DATETIME value. In MySQL, the EXTRACT() function can provide you with a specific component of a DATE or DATETIME value depending on which INTERVAL is given as a parameter. Continue reading to see example EXTRACT() queries for understanding…
Dynamic MySQL CREATE TABLE statement with pandas and pyodbc
Have you ever had to type out a massive CREATE TABLE statement by hand? One with dozens of columns? Maybe several dozens of columns? There are likely some GUI tools to help with large CREATE TABLE commands. Or, other drag-n-drop types of software that I am not familiar with. What if you could write a few lines of Python code and take care of a huge CREATE TABLE statement with way less effort than typed manually? Interested? Continue reading and see how using pandas, pyodbc, and MySQL…