If the table already exists but the columns are different, CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS wonât try to âfixâ or update anything. It simply checks: does a table named Customers already exist? If yes, it stops right there.
So what this really means is:
No error is thrown
No changes are made
The existing table stays exactly as it is, even if your new
CREATE TABLEstatement has different columns
If you actually want to change the tableâs structure (add/remove columns, change data types, etc.), youâd use something like ALTER TABLE, or youâd drop and recreate the table if thatâs appropriate for your setup.
Hope that helps. Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions.
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