“If I have a query that I run frequently, why should I save it as a View in the database instead of just simply saving it as a .SQL script file and running the query when I need it?”
There are two main benefits to saving your query as a View in the database:
It is easier to run.
All you need to do is call the View in a place where a result set is expected, like in a FROM clause. So your query could simply become SELECT * FROM <view name>
What if someone else needs to run that same query against the same database?
If the query was saved in a .SQL file, you would need to send that person the file so that they can run the query. If the query was saved as a View in the database, they already have access to it! Once again, they just need to run SELECT * FROM <view name>.
Overall, the benefits of Views are:
- They allow us to write a complex query once, then execute that query in a very simple way.
- The complex query is saved as an object in the database, meaning anyone with access to the database can execute it.
Next Steps:
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Take a look at the full beginner-friendly tutorial to learn more about Views:
SQL Server Views: A Guide for Beginners
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