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Mysql 5.6: alter column to set default to current_timestamp

RamsonGomes on October 28, 2019

This should be so simple but I'm pulling my hair out trying to figure this out. This example mimics the migrations I'll run - essentially it's add...
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jhfgloria profile image
jhfgloria •

Just came across this topic and the actual problem is the missing parenthesis ( ). According to this report on the MySQL website, the correct command should be:
ALTER TABLE testing ALTER new_column SET DEFAULT(current_timestamp)
and not
ALTER TABLE testing ALTER new_column SET DEFAULT current_timestamp

Hope it helps someone looking for this issue.

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Katie Nelson •

The correct syntax for that line is:

ALTER TABLE testing MODIFY new_column datetime DEFAULT current_timestamp;

You need the MODIFY keyword instead of ALTER.