Changing the mysql.proc table directly after upgrade Our host upgraded our mysql install without us knowing from roughly 5.1 to 5.5.  

This caused a problem because the table definition of mysql.proc is different as discussed here:

http://bugs.mysql.com/bug.php?id=50183

Basically, our stored procedure won't run because one column changed (comment) between 5.1 and 5.5  My question is, can I safely run this command to fix the problem:

alter table mysql.proc modify comment text;


I don't want to run mysql_upgrade as that will lock every table in the database on our production server.
The mysql_upgrade utility has an --upgrade-system-tables (only) option.

I tested it on a local machine that had already been done, but judging from the output and the documentation, it seems to be what you're looking for.

Of course, be sure you use the version of mysql_upgrade that exactly matches whatever version they have upgraded you to (e.g., 5.5.30).

sqlbot@dev:/usr/local/mysql$ bin/mysql_upgrade --upgrade-system-tables
Looking for 'mysql' as: bin/mysql
The --upgrade-system-tables option was used, databases won't be touched.
This installation of MySQL is already upgraded to 5.5.30, use --force if you still need to run mysql_upgrade
sqlbot@dev:/usr/local/mysql$