SQL – Views

A view is a saved SELECT query that acts like a virtual table. Instead of rewriting a complex 5-table join every time you need a particular report, you create a view once and then query it like a simple table. Views also serve as a security layer — you can grant users access to a view without giving them access to the underlying tables.

Views are always computed fresh — they do not store data (unless they are materialized views, a more advanced concept). Every time you query a view, the underlying SELECT runs.

Views vs Tables

	View	Table
Stores data	❌ (virtual)	✅ (physical)
Always current	✅	✅
Can simplify	✅ complex joins	N/A
Can limit access	✅	Indirectly

Try It Yourself — Interactive SQL Editor

Edit the query below and click Run Query ▶ to see live results powered by SQLite running directly in your browser.

Key Points

• Views are saved SELECT queries — virtual tables
• No data duplication — views always reflect current table data
• Simplify complex joins into a single reusable table-like object
• Use views to restrict which columns users can see (security layer)

Pro Tip from CodesCompiler: The best way to learn SQL is to break things intentionally — modify the query above, change the WHERE conditions, try different columns. Every error teaches you something the docs cannot.

In the next lesson, we continue exploring SQL’s powerful feature set to build your database mastery.