Re-order columns of table in Oracle

Question

I have a table with 50+ columns and I need to swap the order of the first two columns. What is the best way to accomplish this using Oracle? Assume the table name is ORDERDE

Answer 1

It's sad that Oracle doesn't allow this, I get asked to do this by developers all the time..

Here's a slightly dangerous, somewhat quick and dirty method:

1. Ensure you have enough space to copy the Table
2. Note any Constraints, Grants, Indexes, Synonyms, Triggers, um.. maybe some other stuff - that belongs to a Table - that I haven't thought about?
3. CREATE TABLE table_right_columns AS SELECT column1 column3, column2 FROM table_wrong_columns; -- Notice how we correct the position of the columns :)
4. DROP TABLE table_wrong_columns;
5. 'ALTER TABLE table_right_columns RENAME TO table_wrong_columns;`
6. Now the yucky part: recreate all those items you noted in step 2 above
7. Check what code is now invalid, and recompile to check for errors

And next time you create a table, please consider the future requirements! ;)