Views - The 'other' database object

Database views are a powerful and versatile construct that, if used creatively, can solve several commonly occurring business problems. These problems include integration issues and backwards compatibility, location transparency, managing overly complex Structured Query Language (SQL) queries and overcoming some limitations of the SQL language. This paper documents some tips and techniques that the author has found in his many years (12+) in industry. Database (DB) views are basic objects defined in the ANSI SQL-92 standard. As an integral part of the SQL language, which builds upon the select statement, views are easy to teach and generally well understood by students. With the ease of development of views coupled with the expressive power that is contained in the select statement, it is the author’s recommendation that views should be included in any intermediate to advanced database course.