Add new column in existing database table

Question

I have created file mysql4-upgrade-1.6.0.1-1.6.0.2 in which code is like,

<?php
$installer = $this;
$installer->startSetup();
$installer->getConnection()
->addColumn($installer->getTable('newsletter_subscriber'),'subscriber_name', array(
 'type' => Varien_Db_Ddl_Table::TYPE_TEXT,
 'length' => 255,
 'after' => 'subscriber_email', // column name to insert new column after
 'comment' => 'Subscriber Name'
 )); 
$installer->endSetup();
?>

Also changed in config file. It is like,

<modules>
 <Mage_Newsletter>
 <version>1.6.0.2</version>
 </Mage_Newsletter>
</modules>

But still column is not added in the database 'newsletter_subscriber' table. Any help?

• Fran Mayers: Don't edit Magento core files directly; Have a look there, it tells you how to create setup files for custom modules: inchoo.net/magento/…
• Kazim Noorani: Is there any way if I want to upgrade core file and core module for this? @Mayers
• Fran Mayers: you need to create a custom module, and in the setup file of this custom module you can modify core tables. The only reason for this, is that a Magento upgrade would wipe your changes (The link above gives you a detailed tutorial about how to create this module)
• Kazim Noorani: Thank you dear! I tried your words and it works. @Mayers
• Fran Mayers: great news! I have added my comment as a response, if it's helped you, please mark it as accepted so we can close off this post

Answer 1

If above syntax is not working for you then you can try below syntax to

<?php
$installer = $this;
$installer->startSetup();
try {
 $tableName = $installer->getTable('newsletter_subscriber');
 $installer->run(" ALTER TABLE {$tableName} ADD `subscriber_email` VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL ; ");
 $installer->endSetup();
} catch (Exception $e) {
 // to do
}

and also check your core_resource table if entry is already there for your new version then revert and try again

Answer 2

Try this :

<?php
$installer = $this;
$installer->startSetup();
$installer->getConnection()
->addColumn($installer->getTable('newsletter/subscriber'),
'subscriber_name', 
array(
 'type' => Varien_Db_Ddl_Table::TYPE_TEXT,
 'length' => 255,
 'after' => 'subscriber_email', // column name to insert new column after
 'comment' => 'Subscriber Name'
 )); 
$installer->endSetup();
?> 

Answer 3

Don't edit Magento core files directly; Have a look there, it tells you how to create setup files for custom modules: http://inchoo.net/magento/magento-install-install-upgrade-data-and-data-upgrade-scripts/

You need to create a custom module, and in the setup file of this custom module you can modify core tables. The only reason for this, is that a Magento upgrade would wipe your changes (The link above gives you a detailed tutorial about how to create this module)