Chapter 27. Creating and Managing Views in SQL Server

by Paul Jensen and Ray Rankins

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Definition of Views

• Using Views to Simplify Retrieval of Data

• Using Views to Hide Underlying Table Structures

• Using Views as a Security Mechanism

• Data Modifications and Views

• Creating Views

• Altering and Dropping Views

• Partitioned Views

• Indexed Views

• Views and Query Performance

Recently, while teaching a database class, one of the students described a view as a window on the data; it could be a picture window, clearly exposing a wide expanse of data, or a mere slit, offering only a peek. This chapter will pull back the curtains on this "window," exposing what a view is and isn't, and how you can leverage this powerful tool in your database design and applications.