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Discussion on: Explain Postgresql Views Like I'm Five

 
ben profile image
Ben Halpern

Why not have this logic stored in the program itself, even as a simple string variable? What am I gaining from using this functionality?

Not challenging, 100% curious.

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isaacdlyman profile image
Isaac Lyman

One nice thing about a function stored in SQL is that SQL can create an "execution plan" and store it as well, so it doesn't have to reparse and plan everything each time you submit the query. It speeds things up, especially with queries you use frequently.

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erikpischel profile image
Erik Pischel

For me, views often are kind of abstractions or interfaces. Especially when the view contains joins. It hides the details of the data model. Database programmers can even change those details while maintaining the SELECT clause of the view so for the application programmer the interface has not changed.

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vinibrsl profile image
Vinicius Brasil • Edited

Hey Ben,

SQL views aren't just stored queries, it's a virtual table. You can make joins and select specific columns, granting permissions to different database users to it, instead of granting permission to every table. Views are also indexed, when talking about materialized views.

So by using SQL views you've got: security, performance and simplicity. Also, not every system is backed by a modern application layer.