> I have a table with a column street varchar(50).
>
> I could do an
> alter table xxx alter street varchar(60)
> but I could not do an
> alter table xxx alter street varchar(40)
>
> I have to create a temp-column an copy the data over.
>
> Is there an easier (and faster) way?

No.

Martijn Tonies
Database Workbench - tool for InterBase, Firebird, MySQL, NexusDB, Oracle &
MS SQL Server
Upscene Productions
http://www.upscene.com
My thoughts:
http://blog.upscene.com/martijn/
Database development questions? Check the forum!
http://www.databasedevelopmentforum.com