Re: Was: Triggers, Stored Procedures, PHP

Shane D <shane(dot)dawalt(at)wright(dot)edu> writes:

> Could someone explain to me the usefulness of views? I understand
> how they are created. I understand a single query can be created as a
> view returning all records in a single column of a single table, or
> maybe even multiple columns across many tables using a complex join.
>
> That sounds find if all you want to do is to populate your
> drop-down list box with selection choices or use the same search
> criteria each time. But if I want to access certain information for a
> particular customer that requires joins and the like, then a view
> would be great. But as far as I know, I am unable to place search
> parameters into a view. Is this false or am I totally missing the
> point of views?

It's false. You can treat a view just like a table and add clauses to
your query that restrict it beyond what the view gives you. I think
that's what you're asking about...

Views are useful for things like:

1) Insulating apps from details of the schema which may change
2) Giving different users different, well, views of the data, perhaps
on a column basis. Create a view that only shows a subset of
columns, and only allow unprivileged users access to the view, not
the underlying table(s).

-Doug