In relational databases a virtual column is a table column whose value is automatically computed using other columns values, or another deterministic expression. Virtual columns are not part of any SQL standard, and are only implemented by some DBMS's, like MariaDB, SQL Server, Oracle and Firebird (database server) (COMPUTED BY syntax).
Video Virtual column
Implementation
There are two types of virtual columns:
- Virtual columns;
- Persistent columns.
Virtual columns values are computed on the fly when needed, for example when they are returned by a SELECT statement. Persistent column values are computed when a row is inserted in a table, and they are written like all other values. They can change if other values change. Both virtual and persistent columns have advantages and disadvantages: virtual columns don't consume space on the disk, but they must be computed every time a query refers to them; persistent columns don't require any CPU time, but they consume disk space. However, sometimes a choice is not available, because some DBMS's support only one column type (or neither of them).
MariaDB
MariaDB is a MySQL fork. Virtual columns were added in the 5.2 tree.
Expressions that can be used to compute the virtual columns have the following limitations:
- They must be deterministic.
- They can not return constant values.
- They can not use User Defined Functions or Stored Procedures.
- They can not include other virtual columns.
- They can not make use of subqueries.
Persistent columns can be indexed and can be part of a foreign key, with a few small limitations concerning constraint enforcement.
Virtual columns can only be used on tables which use a storage engine which supports them. Storage engines supporting virtual columns are:
- InnoDB
- MyISAM
- Aria
- CONNECT
MRG_MyISAM tables can be based on MyISAM tables which include persistent columns; but the corresponding MRG_MyISAM column should be defined as a regular column.
Syntax
A CREATE TABLE or ALTER TABLE statement can be used to add a virtual column. The syntax used to define a virtual column is the following:
- type is the column's data type.
- expression is the SQL expression which returns the column's value for each row.
- text is an optional column comment.
MySQL
Support for virtual columns, known in MySQL as generated columns, started becoming available in v5.17.6. Various limitations on their use have been relaxed in subsequent versions.
Oracle
Oracle has always supported non-persistent virtual columns. It does not support persistent virtual columns. Persistent virtual column behaviour can be emulated through the use of BEFORE INSERT triggers.
SQL Server
Microsoft SQL Server supports virtual columns, but they are called Computed Columns.
SQL Server supports both persisted and non-persisted computed columns.
Firebird
Firebird has always supported virtual columns as it's precursor InterBase supports it, they're called Computed Columns.
Firebird supports virtual columns, not persistent ones and allows for sub-selects, calling built in functions, external functions and stored routines in the virtual column expression.
Syntax
Creating a virtual column can be done during table creation and when adding columns to an existing table, the syntax used to define a virtual column is the following:
or the industry standard
Maps Virtual column
Notes
External links
- Virtual Columns in MariaDB's documentation.
- MariaDB 5.2: What would you use virtual columns for? on OpenLife.cc
- Virtual Columns in Oracle Database 11g Release 1
- Computed Columns in SQL Server 2008
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