SQL Views

A view is a saved SQL query that acts like a virtual table. It does not store data itself - it shows the result of its query whenever you use it.

Create a view

sql

### CREATE VIEW [Brazil Customers] AS

### SELECT CustomerName, ContactName

### FROM Customers

### WHERE Country = 'Brazil';

Use a view like a table

sql

### SELECT * FROM [Brazil Customers];

Views stay up to date

When the Customers table changes, the view shows the new data automatically because it re-runs its query.

Update or replace a view

sql

### CREATE OR REPLACE VIEW [Brazil Customers] AS

### SELECT CustomerName, ContactName, City

### FROM Customers

### WHERE Country = 'Brazil';

Drop a view

sql

### DROP VIEW [Brazil Customers];

Why use views?

• Reuse complex queries without retyping them.
• Hide columns users shouldn't see.
• Give a simpler name to a complicated join.

TL;DR

• A view is a saved query acting like a table.
• It always reflects the latest data.
• Great for reusing complex joins and hiding columns.
• CREATE OR REPLACE updates it; DROP VIEW removes it.