Question

I’m hoping a PostgreSQL expert can help out with this one 😉 To avoid liability problems we’ve been asked to replace all instances of the word “patient” with “client” in our database schema. We do, however, use PGAdmin.

The catch: our database “guy” is currently on vacation.

Given this is not a small change, what is the most efficient and effective way to change the schema and minimize disruption? Does PGAdmin do this efficienty or will I need to go the SQL route?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Postgresql is capable of changing column and table names:

alter table patients rename to clients;
alter table visits rename column patient_id to client_id;

You can group these changes in a transaction, so that all either happen at once, or not at all:

begin;
alter table this...
alter table that...
...
commit;

Databases have programs that use them, and these programs are frequently tied to the names in the schema. Are your client programs such that they automatically adapt to schema changes?