Downsides to "WITH SCHEMABINDING" in SQL Server?

sql

best-practices

schema-binding

sql-server

byAnton Shumikhin·Nov 29, 2024

Using WITH SCHEMABINDING is like slapping a padlock on your SQL objects—it is a "safety latch" that safeguards against unintended alterations but can be restrictive when it comes to database evolution.

Here's a simple view:

CREATE VIEW dbo.MyView
WITH SCHEMABINDING
AS
SELECT column1, column2
FROM dbo.MyTable;

Feel the urge to fine-tune dbo.MyTable? Not so fast! The shackles of SCHEMABINDING won't allow you to do so without deleting the view or discarding schema binding first. It seeks order and safety but can cause headaches when the evolution of your database is at stake.

Detailed analysis

Strengths and weaknesses

The allure of index-topped views

Implementing indexed views can turbocharge performance, especially when handling heavy computations. Indexed views present you with ready-to-use results of certain queries, thereby evading regular laborious calculations on hefty data bodies. However, to create indexed views, SCHEMABINDING is mandatory—it ensures that the views are unchanging and dependable for the SQL Server query optimizer.

Schema remodeling challenges

Modifications that would be an everyday affair may turn troublesome. Consider needing to change a column in a view or User-Defined Function (UDF) that's schema-bound. You'd be required to first drop or modify all dependent objects—a towering hurdle amidst an intricate network of schema-bound entities.

A sturdy change deployment policy

Deploying alterations in a database having schema-bound objects demands a robust strategy. Utilizing tools such as ApexSQL Diff facilitates the synchronization and deployment of alterations to schema-bound objects, lightening the burden of maintenance.

The impact on intricate environments

In scenarios with multiple linked views, imposing SCHEMABINDING on one view can set off a row of dominoes. You'd need to ensure all referenced objects were schema-bound—a potential headache, necessitating substantial changes to other views and objects.

Organizing best practices

When adopting WITH SCHEMABINDING, consider these best practices:

Evaluate: Determine if the benefits of stability and performance overweigh the flexibility drawbacks.
Change Management: Devise a clean process for implementing schema updates, incorporating the additional steps to accommodate schema-bound objects.
Employ Tools: Products like ApexSQL Diff can facilitate schema modification in schema-bound settings.
Document: Keep a comprehensive record of schema-bound dependencies, assisting in impact analysis and change regulation.