Is it posssible to use a query to select all coumns except few columns?

Question

Possible Duplicate:
SQL exclude a column using SELECT * [except columnA] FROM tableA?

Hi all

I am using Mysql.

and I am looking for, Is it posssible to use a query to select all coumns except few columns?

Can we do it like "SELECT * EXCEPT(column) from table"? – OM The Eternity Mar 24 '11 at 11:31 — OM The Eternity, Mar 24 '11 at 11:31

score 6 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 24 '11 at 11:33

6

No it is not possible, the expression "select all except" has not yet been implemented in any existing database.

answered Mar 24 '11 at 11:33

Marino Šimić

2

To be more specific on the why: - Select * is a slow expression that requires the database to fetch column definition for the entire table - Select column_list is faster but still requires some computation time - Select * except column_list would be the most inefficient expression requiring processor time like the other two expression together – Marino Šimić Mar 24 '11 at 11:34

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 24 '11 at 11:28

2

Yes, by listing the columns specifically, e.g.

select col1, col3, col5, othercol
from tbl

(table contains other columns not listed)

But if your question is about something like (pseudo)

select * - (col2,col4)
from tbl

meaning, * = all, less col2 & col4, then it hasn't been implemented in any DB system to date.

answered Mar 24 '11 at 11:28

RichardTheKiwi

I know this but Can we do it like "SELECT * EXCEPT(column) from table"? – OM The Eternity Mar 24 '11 at 11:30
1

@OM The long and short answers are both - no – RichardTheKiwi Mar 24 '11 at 11:31

2 Answers2