The most common way to add new columns in MySQL is to use the ALTER TABLE ... ADD COLUMN statement. The basic syntax is: ALTER TABLE table name ADD COLUMN New column name data type [constraint] [position]; for example, ALTER TABLE users ADD COLUMN phone VARCHAR(20); You can specify the location such as AFTER username; add non-empty fields to set the default value, such as ALTER TABLE users ADD COLUMN status TINYINT NOT NULL DEFAULT 1; performance issues should be paid attention to when operating large data tables. It is recommended to execute or use online DDL tools such as pt-online-schema-change during low peak periods.
In MySQL, if you need to add new columns to an existing table, the most common method is to use ALTER TABLE ... ADD COLUMN
statement. This operation is very common when developing and maintaining database structures on a daily basis, such as adding a new user mobile number field, adding status identifiers, etc.

Below are some common usage scenarios and operation suggestions to help you perform operations to add columns more safely and effectively.
Basic syntax for adding columns
MySQL provides ADD COLUMN
to extend the table structure. The basic syntax is as follows:

ALTER TABLE Table name ADD COLUMN New column name data type [Constraint] [Position];
To give a simple example, suppose we have a table called users
, and now we need to add a phone
field:
ALTER TABLE users ADD COLUMN phone VARCHAR(20);
This statement will add a string field called phone
at the end of the users
table.

If you want to specify the location of a new column, for example, after an existing column:
ALTER TABLE users ADD COLUMN phone VARCHAR(20) AFTER username;
In this way, phone
column will appear after username
column.
Set default values or constraints when adding columns
Many times, newly added fields cannot be NULL
, or default values need to be set. At this time, you can add NOT NULL
and DEFAULT
to the statement:
ALTER TABLE users ADD COLUMN status TINYINT NOT NULL DEFAULT 1;
This statement will add a status field, with the default value of 1 and is not allowed to be empty.
What should be noted is:
- If the original table already has data and the field you added has
NOT NULL
, then the default value must be specified throughDEFAULT
, otherwise an error will be reported. - After modification, remember to check whether it affects SQL queries or code processing in business logic.
Pay attention to performance issues when adding columns in large tables
When your table data is large (such as above one million), executing ALTER TABLE ADD COLUMN
may cause table locking or take a long time, which will affect online services.
At this time you can consider:
- Operation at low peak
- Use online DDL tools such as
pt-online-schema-change
- First add empty fields, then gradually fill in data
MySQL 5.7 has made some optimizations for online DDL. In some cases, tables will not be locked, but the specific situation still depends on the version and operation method of MySQL.
Basically that's it. Although adding columns may seem like a small operation, it may also cause problems if you do not pay attention to order, default values, or large table processing in actual projects. As long as the grammar is used reasonably according to the actual situation, it will generally not be too complicated.
The above is the detailed content of mysql alter table add column. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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