Changing Date to Timestamp

kklosson

I may want to change an attribute from a Date type to a timestamp type. Does anyone know whether this is harmless to the database or not? Will the existing date data simply remain with no time data? I wanted to test using the CRM example but I was unable to change the data type for any attribute. So if you know for sure, please let me know for sure.

tpis001

Hi Kingsley.... Not sure on your specific scenario, but I the past we've changed attribute types and Aware IM has been known to delete the previously contained data.

How we get around this is to create another attribute (either in Aware IM) or directly in the DB. We then use some basic SQL to copy the content of the original attribute over to the holding attribute.

Next, publish your bsv with the changes you want and then use some more SQL to bring the content back to the first attribute if needed.

As I say, not sure if this meets the use case, but it will probably allow you to test it out easily enough....

Cheers, Martyn

kklosson

I created a bsv with a date attribute, then put in data, then changed it to a timestamp. I had no issue with the data. In fact, I changed it back and forth a few times and all seemed well.

tpis001

Ah, good result. I think our scenario was changing the size of an attribute. The details escape me, but once the attribute supports more than about 7,500 characters, Aware IM changes the type in the background and this causes the data to be wiped.

Please you got a solution.

kklosson

That's the kind of thing I wish they would document. Kind of important to know...