Create View SQL

Galaxy Glossary

How do you create a view in SQL?

A view in SQL is a virtual table based on the result-set of an SQL statement. It's a way to simplify complex queries and present data in a customized format without physically storing the data. Views can also improve security by restricting access to specific data.
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Description

Views are a powerful tool in SQL for organizing and presenting data. They act as a window into a database, allowing users to see data in a specific way without needing to know the underlying table structure. Think of a view as a pre-built query that's stored in the database. Instead of writing the same query repeatedly, you can simply query the view. This is particularly useful for complex queries or when you want to present data in a specific format to different users. Views can also be used to restrict access to sensitive data by only showing relevant information to authorized users. For example, a view could show only sales figures for a specific region, or only customer information for active accounts. Views are not physical tables, meaning they don't store data. Instead, they store the query that defines the data they present. This makes them lightweight and efficient.

Why Create View SQL is important

Views are crucial for simplifying complex queries, improving data security, and enhancing data presentation. They allow developers to create customized data presentations without needing to write the same query repeatedly. This leads to more maintainable and efficient code.

Example Usage


-- Create a view to show the names and ages of employees in the Sales department
CREATE VIEW SalesEmployees AS
SELECT employee_id, first_name, last_name, age
FROM employees
WHERE department = 'Sales';

-- Query the view
SELECT * FROM SalesEmployees;

-- Example to show how views can be used in joins
SELECT e.first_name, e.last_name, d.department_name
FROM SalesEmployees e
JOIN departments d ON e.department = d.department_id;

Common Mistakes

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