ALTER TABLE table_name alterAction [, ...] [IF bool_expr] alterAction: DROP [FAMILY] family_name | ADD [FAMILY] family_description | ALTER [FAMILY] family_name TO family_description
Alter named table as specified in alter_action (requires disabling the table first). See CREATE TABLE for family_description syntax. HBase performs the request asynchronously.
HConnection conn = HConnectionManager.newConnection(); // Drop family family1 conn.execute("ALTER TABLE foo DROP FAMILY family1, DROP FAMILY family2"); // Add family family4 conn.execute("ALTER TABLE foo ADD FAMILY family4 (MAX_VERSIONS: 10), ADD FAMILY family6()"); // Rename family family4 to family5 conn.execute("ALTER TABLE foo ALTER FAMILY family4 TO family5 (MAX_VERSIONS: 10)");