Oracle: copy row while updating one field

Question

Please note: I am asking the question I want answered. I know this question means the database is set up poorly. So I will vote down any answers that suggest changing

Answer 1

Use:

INSERT INTO table
  (name, col1, col2)
SELECT t.name, t.col1, 'a'
  FROM TABLE t
 WHERE t.col2 IS NULL

That's assuming neither the name or col1 columns are a primary key or have a unique constraint on either.