Methods, systems, and computer program products modify a table definition
of a database table within a database application. A method involves
providing a user interface for creating a new field in the database
table, receiving data that creates the new field while displaying the
database table, and modifying schema of the database table to include the
new field and the data. The method also involves interpreting a data type
of the data as the data is received. A data type interpreted for a column
in the database table that contains the new field is the data type of the
data received in the new field. Still further, the method involves
handling objects dependent on the database table in a manner unbeknownst
to a user of the database table. Thus, the schema is modified while the
objects dependent on the database table remain visible or open to the
user.