Alter Query giving an error

[Betsy Camel]

public static String alterQuery(String ColumnName) throws SQLException
{
String msg = "Added a Column Successfully";
stmt.executeUpdate("alter table Machine_Details add '"+ColumnName+"' varchar(10)");
return msg;
}


this is being accessed in my jsp like

String message = myclass.alterQuery(request.getParameter("namecolumn"));

where namecolumn is the textbox name.
this is giving an error ..
java.sql.SQLException: [Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][SQL Server]Line 1: Incorrect syntax near 'Machine_length'.


here machine _length is the value given in the text box...
plz help

[Dave Salter]

Do you know the actual SQL that is being issued?

[Paul Sturrock]

Double check the alter table syntax for SQL Server (here). You don't put quotes round new columns.

As an aside, I'm guessing you have your reasons, but its not usually a good idea to allow DDL statements from a Web App.
[ September 22, 2005: Message edited by: Paul Sturrock ]

[Maximilian Xavier Stocker]

I believe the syntax should be

ALTER TABLE tablename ADD COLUMN columnname datatype

Because you could be adding an index too. I am not sure about the quotes around the name either but at least try specifiying that you are in fact adding a COLUMN.