Re: views of binary operations

Marshall wrote:

> Consider named views of binary operations on relations.
>
> Given a relational operator "op" and relation variables A and B,
> and a declaration of:
>
> r = A op B
>
> the language evaluates the expression "A op B" and assigns the
> result to r.
>
> However, if we declare this as a view, we do not evaluate A op B
> at the time of the declaration, but instead (re)evaluate A op B each
> time we make reference to r in later expressions.
>
> r = view(A op B)
>
> Is it the case that we want exactly the above, or might we
> want a more fine-grained control? Might we ever want
>
> r = A op view(B)
>
> In other words, the value of A at the time of the declaration and
> value of B at the time of evaluations of r? In which case, we
> then have four possibilities:
>
> r = A op B
> r = view(A) op B
> r = A op view(B)
> r = view(A) op view(B)
>
> (Actual evaluation of the expression is deferred if either of
> the operands is a view.)
>
> In other words, when we have a view of a binary relation operation,
> are we necessarily creating a view of the entire expression, or are
> we making views of the operands?
>
> (I am asking in the theoretical sense, and not about SQL per se,
> although if current practice in SQL sheds light on the question,
> I am interested in that as well.)

I cannot make sense of what you are asking. Are you confusing views and snapshots by any chance? Received on Sun Jul 16 2006 - 07:20:31 CEST