SQL & PL/SQL

Hi,

I am creating a new table:

Create table item_test(id Number(8), item_desc varchar2(48))

Now i want to add one more column price as the second column in between id and item_desc columns..

if i execut*e*

alter table item_test add price Number(8)

The price filed will be added at the end.

1)But i understand that in relational databases the order of the columns are not vital..however we can select in the order in which want by using the select statement..

2) Another approach i read is,CTAS(Create Table As Select)

a)Add the column as usual..

b) create table item_test_temp as ( select id,price,item_desc from item_test)

c) Then drop the original table

d)then again create the original table again from the temp table using CTAS.

Is there any other efficient way to achieve this?

Thanks