Re: Lock problem

That answers it -- I often can do this procedure ( I think this was the first time it failed). I guess I was just lucky. Thanks, Tom Birdman wrote: > Hi, > > Of course, you might not alter table even you could get exclusive lock. The > reason is that when you drop or add index or other operations concerning > altering table structure, like add a column, or so, Informix server tend to > modify those sys tables with your current database, or sysmaster database > tables (I am not sure about it), as you are in a 24X7 suituation, those > tables are always share locked. Because modification of those sys tables > can not success, you absolutely can not alter your table structure. > > Regards