By Sourav Mehta
A Materialized View, in the simplest terms, can be identified as a stored query saved in a database, rather similar to storing a table. The primary differentiating factor that sets it apart from a typical view is its storage location. Rather than being stored in memory like a conventional view, a Materialized View is stored on disk. This implies that the data does not need to be re-computed to be used every time, thus saving intensive computing resources.
Materialized Views serve as an optimal solution when you aspire to shield yourself or the database from exhaustive queries, or when a specific set of data is frequently used.
1) The significant advantage derived from Materialized Views can be neatly termed in one word - performance. The fact that the data is precomputed enables Materialized Views to deliver superior response times in comparison to other subquery methodologies. Regardless of the complexity of the query or the number of tables involved, Postgres stores these results as a simple table.
2) This simple table facilitates a straightforward join to the Materialized View, hiding the complexity of the underlying subqueries. For instance, consider a Materialized View designed to retrieve your SKUs and the shipped quantity by SKU. The results will show the most frequently sold SKUs at the top when you order by quantity in descending order.
3) By effectively leveraging Materialized Views in your database practices, not only can you enrich your data management and retrieval but also significantly boost performance. Remember, the path to data handling proficiency lies in understanding and implementing expertise, authority, and trust. This approach is sure to materialize your success.
Dive into the world of Materialized Views, understand their concept, benefits, and importance, and increase your database performance effectively. With the power to simplify complex queries and improve response times, they are, undoubtedly, an invaluable asset.