Create Indexes & extra columns!

Hi guys
2 questions.
Is it recomenable to create
1. Indexes
2. extra columns
on a table while the database is being used?
I have not yet had the guts to do it while the database was in use however
it would be somewhat easier if I could?
Regards
JonasJonas Larsen wrote:
> Hi guys
> 2 questions.
> Is it recomenable to create
> 1. Indexes
> 2. extra columns
> on a table while the database is being used?
> I have not yet had the guts to do it while the database was in use
> however it would be somewhat easier if I could?
> Regards
> Jonas
Recommended is a loaded word. You can certainly perform both operations
while users are accessing the database. Adding a column should be quick
as long as you don't have to load data into the new column. Adding an
index is a more time consuming process if the table is large. If you
create a clustered index, you'll likely take the table offline until the
operation is complete and all non-clustered indexes are rebuilt.
If you are concerned about affecting the availability of the table in
question, schedule the operation to take place at night using the SQL
Server Agent.
David G.|||I agree with David, if you choose to do this during the day, the structures
will still ( automatically) be unavailable until the process completes,
(which could take some time.)
most people would schedule this during off hours... and backup prior...
Wayne Snyder, MCDBA, SQL Server MVP
Mariner, Charlotte, NC
www.mariner-usa.com
(Please respond only to the newsgroups.)
I support the Professional Association of SQL Server (PASS) and it's
community of SQL Server professionals.
www.sqlpass.org
"Jonas Larsen" <Jonas.Larsen@.Alcan.com> wrote in message
news:%23m%23Ai4liEHA.3288@.TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> Hi guys
> 2 questions.
> Is it recomenable to create
> 1. Indexes
> 2. extra columns
> on a table while the database is being used?
> I have not yet had the guts to do it while the database was in use however
> it would be somewhat easier if I could?
> Regards
> Jonas
>