View vs. Materialized View — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on January 12, 2024
A view is a virtual table in a database created by a query, while a materialized view is a physical copy of the view's data, stored on disk.
Difference Between View and Materialized View
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A view in database systems is essentially a virtual table that is defined by a query, which pulls data from one or more tables. This virtual table dynamically retrieves data every time the view is accessed, ensuring that the returned information is always current to the latest updates in the underlying tables.
Materialized views, by contrast, are more like snapshots of the data returned by the query defining a view. Instead of dynamically pulling current data each time, a materialized view stores the result of the query physically on disk. This means the data is not updated with every access, but only when the materialized view is refreshed.
Views are generally used to simplify complex queries, to provide a security mechanism by restricting access to a predetermined set of rows or columns, or to present data in a specific orientation. They do not consume storage space for data, but they do require processing time to reconstruct the data every time they are accessed.
Materialized views are beneficial when the underlying data does not change often, and the cost of querying large amounts of data is high. They improve performance by reducing the time needed to retrieve data, as the query does not need to be run every time the data is accessed, but this comes at the cost of storage space.
Both views and materialized views can be used to abstract and simplify access to data. However, views offer real-time data at the cost of performance, while materialized views offer performance benefits at the cost of real-time accuracy.
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Comparison Chart
Data Freshness
Always up-to-date.
As of last refresh.
Storage Requirement
None, data is virtual.
Requires storage space.
Performance
Can be slower for complex queries.
Faster data retrieval.
Update Method
Automatically updated.
Manually refreshed.
Data Retrieval
Data is computed on access.
Data is precomputed and stored.
Compare with Definitions
View
A virtual table in SQL that is based on a SELECT query.
The database admin created a view to simplify the complex join operation.
Materialized View
An updatable table that holds a copy of data retrieved by a query.
Our database uses a materialized view to reduce the load on the transactional tables.
View
An SQL construct that presents data in a specific format without storing it.
The view allows users to see the data without giving them access to the base tables.
Materialized View
A physical snapshot of a view's data, improving read performance.
They created a materialized view to quickly access the frequently used report data.
View
A database object that encapsulates a complex query.
She used a view to combine data from multiple tables for the report.
Materialized View
A database object that contains the result of a query stored on disk.
The materialized view was refreshed overnight to include the latest data.
View
A window to data in underlying tables, defined for ease of use or security.
Views are especially useful for hiding the complexity of the schema from end-users.
Materialized View
A precomputed table comprising data that a view would otherwise need to fetch.
To enhance performance, the query was converted into a materialized view.
View
A named query that can be treated as a table in SQL databases.
He updated the application to retrieve data from a new view.
Materialized View
A stored version of a virtual view for efficiency in data retrieval.
Materialized views are ideal for dashboards that don't require second-by-second data updates.
View
An examination using the eyes; a look
Used binoculars to get a better view.
View
Field of vision
The aircraft has disappeared from view.
View
A scene that can be looked at from a particular position; a vista
The view from the tower.
View
A way of showing or seeing something, as from a particular position or angle
A side view of the house.
View
An individual and personal perception, judgment, or interpretation; an opinion
In his view, aid to the rebels should be suspended.
View
An aim or intention
The law was written with a view toward safeguarding privacy.
View
Consideration or concern
“The pitch of the roof had been calculated with a view to the heavy seasonal rains” (Caroline Alexander).
View
Expectation or likelihood
The measure has no view of success.
View
To look at, examine, or inspect
Viewed the stars through the telescope.
View
To watch (a movie or show, for example) on a screen.
View
To survey or study mentally; consider
When you view all their suggestions, you have to feel encouraged.
View
To think of (something) in a particular way; regard
Doesn't view herself as a success.
Viewed their efforts unfavorably.
View
(physical) Visual perception.
View
The act of seeing or looking at something.
He changed seats to get a complete view of the stage.
View
The range of vision.
If there are any rabbits in this park, they keep carefully out of our view.
View
Something to look at, such as scenery.
My flat has a view of a junkyard.
The view from a window
View
(Internet) An individual viewing of a web page or a video etc. by a user.
View
(obsolete) Appearance; show; aspect.
View
A picture, drawn or painted; a sketch.
A fine view of Lake George
View
An opinion, judgement, imagination, idea or belief.
View
A mental image.
I need more information to get a better view of the situation.
View
A way of understanding something, an opinion, a theory.
Your view on evolution is based on religious doctrines, not on scientific findings.
View
A point of view.
From my view that is a stupid proposition.
View
An intention or prospect.
He smuggled a knife into prison with a view to using it as a weapon.
View
A virtual or logical table composed of the result set of a query in relational databases.
View
The part of a computer program which is visible to the user and can be interacted with
View
A wake. en
View
(transitive) To look at.
The video was viewed by millions of people.
View
(transitive) To regard in a stated way.
I view it as a serious breach of trust.
View
The act of seeing or beholding; sight; look; survey; examination by the eye; inspection.
Thenceforth I thought thee worth my nearer view.
Objects near our view are thought greater than those of a larger size that are more remote.
Surveying nature with too nice a view.
View
Mental survey; intellectual perception or examination; as, a just view of the arguments or facts in a case.
I have with exact view perused thee, Hector.
View
Power of seeing, either physically or mentally; reach or range of sight; extent of prospect.
The walls of Pluto's palace are in view.
View
That which is seen or beheld; sight presented to the natural or intellectual eye; scene; prospect; as, the view from a window.
'T is distance lends enchantment to the view.
View
The pictorial representation of a scene; a sketch, either drawn or painted; as, a fine view of Lake George.
View
Mode of looking at anything; manner of apprehension; conception; opinion; judgment; as, to state one's views of the policy which ought to be pursued.
To give a right view of this mistaken part of liberty.
View
That which is looked towards, or kept in sight, as object, aim, intention, purpose, design; as, he did it with a view of escaping.
No man sets himself about anything but upon some view or other which serves him for a reason.
View
Appearance; show; aspect.
[Graces] which, by the splendor of her viewDazzled, before we never knew.
View
To see; to behold; especially, to look at with attention, or for the purpose of examining; to examine with the eye; to inspect; to explore.
O, let me view his visage, being dead.
Nearer to view his prey, and, unespied,To mark what of their state he more might learn.
View
To survey or examine mentally; to consider; as, to view the subject in all its aspects.
The happiest youth, viewing his progress through.
View
A way of regarding situations or topics etc.;
Consider what follows from the positivist view
View
The visual percept of a region;
The most desirable feature of the park are the beautiful views
View
The act of looking or seeing or observing;
He tried to get a better view of it
His survey of the battlefield was limited
View
The range of the eye;
They were soon out of view
View
A personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty;
My opinion differs from yours
What are your thoughts on Haiti?
View
A message expressing a belief about something; the expression of a belief that is held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof;
His opinions appeared frequently on the editorial page
View
Purpose; the phrase `with a view to' means `with the intention of' or `for the purpose of';
He took the computer with a view to pawning it
View
Graphic art consisting of the graphic or photographic representation of a visual percept;
He painted scenes from everyday life
Figure 2 shows photographic and schematic views of the equipment
View
The range of interest or activity that can be anticipated;
It is beyond the horizon of present knowledge
View
Outward appearance;
They look the same in outward view
View
Deem to be;
She views this quite differently from me
I consider her to be shallow
I don't see the situation quite as negatively as you do
View
Look at carefully; study mentally;
View a problem
View
See or watch;
View a show on television
This program will be seen all over the world
View an exhibition
Catch a show on Broadway
See a movie
Common Curiosities
How often is a materialized view updated?
A materialized view is updated as per a schedule or on-demand, not automatically.
When should I use a view?
Use a view for simplified query complexity and real-time data without storage overhead.
Are materialized views faster than views?
Yes, because materialized views store the query result, they can be accessed faster.
What is a view in SQL?
A view is a virtual table representing the result of a database query.
Can views and materialized views be updated?
Views are updated automatically; materialized views require manual refresh.
What happens to a materialized view when the underlying data changes?
The materialized view remains unchanged until it is manually refreshed.
Do views impact database performance?
Views can impact performance if they encapsulate very complex queries.
What is a materialized view?
A materialized view is a database object that stores the result of a query on disk.
Can I index a view?
You cannot index a view directly, but its underlying tables can be indexed.
Do views store data?
No, views do not store data; they generate data on-the-fly from existing tables.
How does a materialized view improve query performance?
By storing the result set on disk, it avoids the cost of executing the underlying query repeatedly.
Are views visible to all users?
Visibility of views depends on the permissions granted by the database administrator.
Can a materialized view be created from a view?
Yes, a materialized view can be created from a view's query.
Can I index a materialized view?
Yes, since a materialized view stores data physically, it can be indexed.
Can I create a view from other views?
Yes, a view can be created based on other views.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
