>I have a problem with keyword 'SKIP'. I installed newer version of
>Firebird - 1.0. I have column in one of the tables named 'SKIP'. I
>cannot do anything with that column, because 'SKIP' is now new
>keyword! I want to 'move' data from that column to another and then
>drop it, but none of approaches works:

This may help out.

In order to replicate your problem, and see if there was a solution, by
trial and error I determined the following;

Create a new database under Interbase 5.6, and create a table with the
following DDL;
CREATE TABLE TEST(SKIP INTEGER);

(I used Interbase, as I guess that is where the problem originated from....)

Copy the database file to a computer with Firebird 1.03 and IBExpert installed.

Open the database with IBExpert. (Cannot change field name at this point)
Try to change the dialect on this database. Cannot, as it is ODS 9.1.

Backup and restore the database using IBExpert. Connect.
Can now change the dialect from 1 to 3, since the ODS is 10.0.

Try to change the field name. Cannot, same error.
Disconnect, and reconnect to database.
Use the following DDL to change the field name;
ALTER TABLE SKIP_TEST ALTER "SKIP" TO NEW_SKIP;

This is successful.

Can optionally change back to Dialect 1 at this point, if that is required.


In summary, in Dialect 3 the field name can be changed, presumably because
the double-quotes are allowed when referencing the keyword. The trick is
being able to change between dialects (and disconnecting after a change in
IBExpert, something to do with connection parameters I guess.)

Chris Heberle
Intouch Technology