Drop view if exists

Preventing "Oops!"

Before you rush into dropping views haphazardly, let's address the elephants in the room: transactional control and error prevention. When performing database alterations, transactional control is essential to keep your database consistent by treating your actions as one unit. Remember to keep transactions as sturdy and indivisible as a Lego brick.

Importance of batch separation in SQL Server

Batches are to SQL what good outlines are to essays - organizing structures preventing chaos. With SQL Server, make sure to use GO to separate your batches, especially if you have statements dependent on the DROP VIEW execution. GO marks the highway end of a batch, helping to circumvent syntax errors. It's like saying, 'Hey SQL, go fetch!'.

Audience with the error king and queen

In the SQL kingdom, potential errors like trying to drop non-existent views or assuring CREATE VIEW operations run smoothly are the king and queen. So, learn from our rulers, and:

1. Place CREATE VIEW at the start of a fresh batch.
2. Utilize sys.views for accurate view referencing.
3. Confirm the correct schema before dropping to avoid mismatches.

When schemas get involved

If your stratagem involves managing views across multiple schemas, consider querying sys.schemas with sys.views:

IF EXISTS (
    SELECT * 
    FROM sys.views v
    JOIN sys.schemas s ON v.schema_id = s.schema_id
    WHERE v.name = N'your_view_name' AND s.name = N'your_schema_name'
)
    DROP VIEW your_schema_name.your_view_name;


No more schema mismatches, no more unintended object operations, no more tears!

SQL Server's gift to humanity

Modern SQL often presents us goodies to make our SQL lives easier. With SQL Server 2016, we can use DROP VIEW IF EXISTS to tidy up our scripts. From backward conditional checks to streamlining view dropping, it's like SQL Server just handed us a cleaning robot.

Moreover, SQL Server 2016 CU1 unveiled CREATE OR ALTER VIEW, an all-purpose tool to manage views by creating new or altering existing ones without prior checks. It's a Swiss Army knife perfect for deployment scenarios!

Embrace the diversity (object types)

In SQL scripting, you gotta respect the uniqueness of objects. Views, tables, stored procedures - they're different and they know it. Handle each according to its characteristics. For instance, verify stored procedure existence using sys.procedures for a similar approach to views.

Ensure CREATE VIEW is in the right context, and not within another view or stored procedure. It's SQL's way of saying, 'views need their personal space, you know'.

How to create bulletproof scripts

Maintain a robust script by:

• Using conditional dropping and creating patterns
• Utilizing separate batches where suitable, especially in SQL Server
• Verifying view names against sys.views for accurate operations
• Addressing edge cases and potential errors for robustness