How to Rename tables in SQLite

SQLite Rename Table

SQLite provides the ALTER TABLE statement to modify the structure of a table. One of its supported operations is renaming an existing table. The RENAME TO clause allows you to change the name of a table while preserving its structure and data. This operation is useful when reorganizing database schemas or making table names more descriptive.

Syntax

ALTER TABLE old_table_name RENAME TO new_table_name;

• old_table_name: The current name of the table.
• new_table_name: The new name you want to assign to the table.

Example

Scenario: Renaming a table in an SQLite database.

Assume you have a table named users in your database.

Before Renaming:

Code:

-- Select all data from the "users" table  
SELECT * FROM users;

Rename the Table:

Code:

-- Rename the "users" table to "customers"  
ALTER TABLE users RENAME TO customers;  

After Renaming:

Code:

-- Select all data from the renamed "customers" table  
SELECT * FROM customers;  

Explanation

1. Initial State:

• The users table exists and contains data.
• Before renaming, you can query the table to check its current structure and content.

2. Renaming the Table:

• The ALTER TABLE statement is used to rename the table from users to customers.
• This operation does not affect the table’s structure, indexes, or data.

3. Verification:

• After renaming, querying the old table name (users) will result in an error since it no longer exists.
• The new table name (customers) should now be used in all queries.

Additional Information

Limitations of Renaming Tables in SQLite:

• Renaming a table does not update references to the table in views, triggers, or foreign keys. These must be updated manually.
• If the renamed table is referenced in SQL queries or application code, those references also need to be updated.

Tips:

• Always create a backup of the database before renaming tables, especially in production environments.
• Verify that no active connections or transactions are using the table during the renaming process.

Practical Guides to SQLite Snippets and Examples.