View as a saved query mental model in SQL - Step-by-Step Execution

Concept Flow - View as a saved query mental model

Write SELECT query

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Create View with query

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View stores query as saved object

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Use View in SELECT like a table

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Database runs saved query and returns results

You write a SELECT query and save it as a view. Later, you query the view like a table, and the database runs the saved query to give results.

Execution Sample

SQL

CREATE VIEW TopStudents AS
SELECT name, score FROM Students WHERE score > 90;

SELECT * FROM TopStudents;

Create a view named TopStudents that saves a query for students scoring above 90, then select all from that view.

Execution Table

Step	Action	Query/Command	Result/Effect
1	Create view	CREATE VIEW TopStudents AS SELECT name, score FROM Students WHERE score > 90;	View 'TopStudents' saved with query
2	Query view	SELECT * FROM TopStudents;	Database runs saved query and returns rows with score > 90
3	Return results	N/A	Rows of students with score above 90 displayed

💡 View acts as stored query; querying it runs the saved SELECT and returns results.

Variable Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 1	After Step 2	Final
TopStudents (view)	Not defined	Defined as SELECT name, score FROM Students WHERE score > 90	Used to run saved query	Returns filtered student rows

Key Moments - 2 Insights

Is the data stored inside the view itself?

No, the view only stores the query, not the data. When you query the view (see execution_table step 2), the database runs the saved query on the actual data.

Can I use a view like a regular table in SELECT statements?

Yes, as shown in execution_table step 2, you can SELECT from the view just like a table, and it returns the query results.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution_table, what happens at step 1?

A The view is created and saved with a query

B The view data is displayed

C The view is deleted

D The database updates the Students table

💡 Hint

Refer to execution_table row 1 under 'Result/Effect'

At which step does the database run the saved query inside the view?

A Step 1

B Step 2

C Step 3

D Never

💡 Hint

See execution_table step 2 'Database runs saved query...'

If the Students table changes after creating the view, what will the view show when queried?

A No data at all

B Old data from when view was created

C Updated data based on current Students table

D An error

💡 Hint

Views run the saved query on current data, see concept_flow last step

Concept Snapshot

CREATE VIEW view_name AS SELECT ...;
- View stores a SELECT query, not data.
- Query the view like a table: SELECT * FROM view_name;
- View runs saved query on current data each time.
- Useful for reusing complex queries easily.

Full Transcript

A view in SQL is like a saved SELECT query. You create it with CREATE VIEW and a SELECT statement. The view itself does not store data but remembers the query. When you SELECT from the view, the database runs the saved query on the current data and returns the results. This lets you reuse complex queries easily by just querying the view as if it were a table.