How to CREATE VIEW in PostgreSQL

Galaxy Glossary

How do I create a view in PostgreSQL?

CREATE VIEW saves a SELECT statement as a virtual table, letting you query complex joins through a simple object.

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Description

Example H2

Example H3

What does CREATE VIEW do in PostgreSQL?

CREATE VIEW stores a SELECT statement under a name. The view behaves like a read-only virtual table, recalculating on each access. It reduces duplicate logic, shortens queries, and masks sensitive data.

How do I write the basic CREATE VIEW syntax?

Use CREATE [ OR REPLACE ] [ TEMP ] VIEW view_name [ (col1, …) ] AS select_query [ WITH [ CASCADED | LOCAL ] CHECK OPTION ];. Add TEMP for session-only views, supply column aliases when the SELECT uses expressions, and append WITH CHECK OPTION to block rows that violate the view filter on INSERT/UPDATE.

When should I use a view in an ecommerce schema?

Create views for repetitive reports—customer lifetime value, daily revenue, or low-stock products. Stakeholders query one object instead of rewriting joins between Customers, Orders, OrderItems, and Products.

Can I secure data with views?

Yes. Grant SELECT on the view to analysts while withholding table permissions. The view surfaces only approved columns, perfect for exposing order summaries without customer emails.

How do I modify or drop a view safely?

Run CREATE OR REPLACE VIEW to update the definition without breaking dependent queries. Remove it with DROP VIEW IF EXISTS view_name; to avoid errors if the view is already gone.

What best practices should I follow?

1) Name views with a noun phrase like daily_revenue.
2) Avoid SELECT *; list columns to prevent accidental schema leaks.
3) Add comments using COMMENT ON VIEW for discoverability.

What common mistakes occur with CREATE VIEW?

Ambiguous column names break consumers—always alias expressions. Forgetting OR REPLACE blocks deployments; include it when views may already exist.

Why How to CREATE VIEW in PostgreSQL is important

How to CREATE VIEW in PostgreSQL Example Usage


-- Show customers who spent over $1,000 in total
a SELECT FROM THE VIEW
SELECT *
FROM   customer_order_totals
WHERE  lifetime_value > 1000
ORDER  BY lifetime_value DESC;

How to CREATE VIEW in PostgreSQL Syntax


CREATE [ OR REPLACE ] [ TEMP | TEMPORARY ] VIEW view_name
    [ (column_name [, ...]) ]
AS
    select_statement
[ WITH [ CASCADED | LOCAL ] CHECK OPTION ];

-- Parameters
OR REPLACE          Redefines an existing view.
TEMP | TEMPORARY     Drops the view at session end.
column_name list     Overrides derived column names.
CHECK OPTION         Prevents writes that violate the view filter.

-- Ecommerce example
CREATE VIEW customer_order_totals AS
SELECT c.id   AS customer_id,
       c.name AS customer_name,
       SUM(o.total_amount) AS lifetime_value
FROM   Customers c
JOIN   Orders o ON o.customer_id = c.id
GROUP  BY c.id;

Common Mistakes

Using SELECT * inside the view: future column additions silently appear and break downstream tools. List explicit columns to lock the schema.
Omitting OR REPLACE during deployments: the script fails if the view exists. Add OR REPLACE or drop first with DROP VIEW IF EXISTS.