Oracle database - if (not) exists clause is backported to 19c

 You may have read my blog post about the new feature of the if (not) exists clause available in database 23ai HERE, where a detailed description can be found. This is one of the most wanted features for a lot of (old fashioned) developers waiting for 23ai on-premises (which is still not available yet). 

The good news, this feature was now back-ported to 19c!
After the installation of the Oracle Database Release Update 19.28 you are able to use this feature in 19c. 

You don't need to change the compatible parameter of your database, it can still stays on 19.0.0.

You can see at the SQL logon message that my database is running on 19.28 and I am able to use the new if (not) exists syntax:

Like at 23ai, the table jso_test is first created with a column with a length of 10. The second - new - create table would create the table with a column with a length of 20. As "if not exists" is specified, it does not throw an error, BUT the length of the column is still 10. As before, one need to add an alter table to modify this column to a length of 20 characters. 

The third attempt is like it was until 19.27 where the if (not) exists clause did not exists. It throws an error. 

Now you can start changing your database scripts to use the if (not) exits clause, but don't forget to alter the columns to reflect schema changes. And you don't have to wait for 23ai on-premises!

Very good news for all database developers scripting the schema changes.