The AlterDataType method alters the data type of the referenced column.
Syntax
object.AlterDataType( Datatype , [ Length ] , [ Precision ] , [ Scale ] )
object
Expression that evaluates to an object in the Applies To list
DataType
String that specifies the new data type
Length
Optional long integer that specifies the length of a string data type
Precision
Optional long integer that specifies the precision of a numeric data type
Scale
Optional long integer that specifies the scale of a numeric data type.
Prototype (C/C++)
HRESULT AlterDataType(
SQLDMO_LPCSTR DataType,
long Length,
long Precision,
long Scale);
Remarks
When using AlterDataType to convert the data type of an existing column to a new data type, the two data types must be compatible. For example, an int data type can be converted to a decimal data type, and a char data type can be converted to an nvarchar data type. However string data types cannot be converted to numeric data types.
Note If an application calls AlterDataType on an instance of SQL Server version 7.0, the constant, SQLDMO_E_SQL80ONLY, and the message "This property or method requires Microsoft SQL Server 2000" are returned.