Logical View

Overview

A Logical View is an asset in DvSum that represents a logical dataset defined using a SQL query, independent of physical database tables.

While tables in DvSum are created directly from database metadata, Logical Views allow users to define datasets at a logical or schema level. This makes them useful for modeling filtered, derived, or analytical datasets that do not exist as standalone physical tables.

Logical Views behave like datasets within DvSum and can be viewed, managed, and used similarly to other assets.

Logical View as an Asset

Logical View is available as a system asset type and can be created from Asset Management.

These are visible in the Asset Dictionary and can be browsed and managed like other assets.

Creating a Logical View

To create a Logical View:

Navigate to Asset Management
Click Add Asset
Select Logical View as the Asset Type
Select the Schema
Provide a Name and optional Description
Save the asset

After saving, the Logical View opens in its dataset view.

Role of SQL Definition

The SQL Definition defines the query used to construct the Logical View.

Users can enter a SQL query that selects and filters data from one or more underlying tables or views. The result of this query represents the dataset exposed by the Logical View.

After entering the SQL query, click Validate to verify that the query is valid and can be executed successfully.

If validation is successful, a confirmation message is displayed.

A SQL definition can be used to:

Select specific columns
Filter records based on conditions
Apply business logic to shape the dataset

Once validated, the SQL definition can be saved and used as the Logical View’s data source.

Cloning a Logical View

A copy of an existing logical view can be created using the Clone option. The cloned logical view is created as a separate asset and can be modified without affecting the original.

Click the three-dot (⋮) menu for the logical view.
Select Clone.
Update the logical view details, if required.
Click Save.

Note: The cloned logical view is created as a separate asset. You can modify its properties and SQL definition independently of the original logical view.

Viewing a Logical View

After saving and validating the SQL definition, the Logical View behaves like a dataset within DvSum.

The Overview tab displays asset-level details
The Data tab shows the dataset defined by the SQL
The Data Quality tab allows data quality rules to be applied

When to Use a Logical View

Logical Views are useful when:

Data needs to be represented logically rather than physically
A dataset is derived using filters or transformations
Physical tables do not align with analytical or validation needs
You want to apply data quality rules on a SQL-defined dataset

They provide flexibility without requiring changes to the underlying database.

Summary

Logical Views extend DvSum’s asset model by allowing users to define and manage SQL-based logical datasets independently of physical database tables.

They enable flexible data modeling, support analytical use cases, and integrate seamlessly with existing dataset and data quality workflows.

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