title: SQL Alter Table to Add a Column, does it do anything "scary"?
body: <p>I need to add a column to an existing table in my live sql database.
  I know how to use the ALTER command, but what I want to know is the effect this has on the table.</p>
  
  <p>For example,, if using SQL Management Studio, it claims that adding a column will "drop and recreate" the table.</p>
  
  <p>Will the ALTER table command do that as well?</p>
  
  <p>This table is CONSTANTLY accessed and VERY important so I want to make VERY sure of this before going forward.</p>