Review Questions

   

Summary

We began this chapter with a definition of a view, and you learned that it is a virtual table that does not contain or store data. Views are useful for several reasonsthey provide a means for you to work with data from multiple tables, they help enforce data integrity, and they help keep data secure or confidential.

We then discussed the three types of views: data , aggregate , and validation . You learned that each type of view can be based on one or more tables, other views, or a combination of both. Your RDBMS will rebuild and repopulate a view every time you access it, using the most current data from the view's base tables. As you now know, there must be relationships between tables in a multitable view (thus making the view's information valid and meaningful), and the characteristics of those relationships are carried forth through the view. Additionally, you can modify most views, and all the modifications you make to the data are passed through the view to the base tables. You also learned that validation views work in the same manner as validation tables and that they have distinct advantages over validation tables. For instance, validation views can incorporate data from multiple tables.

The chapter then continued with a discussion of determining and defining views for the database. Here you learned several specific points to keep in mind while you work with users and management to identify the organization's view requirements. Next, we discussed how to define a view, and you learned how to create a view diagram to document the view. Now you know how to select fields from the base tables and assign them to the view.

We then discussed how to use calculated fields in a view. You learned that you could use them to help provide pertinent information and to enhance how the view displays its data. You also learned that calculated fields are especially crucial in aggregate views and that each calculated field uses an expression to derive the value it displays. Next, you learned how to apply a filter to a view so that it will retrieve and display a specific set of records. The view will display a given record only if it meets the criteria you've imposed against one or more fields in the view. You frame each criterion as an expression and use it to test the value of a particular field.

The chapter closed with a discussion of the View Specifications sheet. Here you learned how to document the characteristics of the view, such as its name and type. You also learned about the items that compose the View Specifications sheet and how you use them to record the view's characteristics.


   
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Database Design for Mere Mortals[c] A Hands-On Guide to Relational Database Design
Database Design for Mere Mortals: A Hands-On Guide to Relational Database Design
ISBN: 0201694719
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2002
Pages: 203

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