How can I simplify queries with inline views?

We are writing PL/SQL code that have some huge queries with many inline views. These queries are used to insert data into a relational database from a staging area. We usually use the inline views to avoid making many updates to the source table - the updates occur in the inline view.

Our problem is when you have a select statement with an in-line view, and this in-line view has a couple of in-lines views, and these in-line views .... etc. As you see it can get very hard to follow.

Do you know of an easier way to do this?

We could create views and use them but I don't really want a lot of views around that will not be used again. Is it possible to create a temporary view that automatically goes away when the session dies? (like a temp table).

Is there a way to have a PL/SQL function return a table or view? Then in the FROM clause we could call the function.

Any tips would be appreciated.

Don Received on Fri Dec 20 2002 - 09:26:17 CST