SQL & PostgreSQLInterview preparation
Intermediate·Concept·2 min read

JSON vs JSONB, and views vs materialized views?

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Definition:

JSON stores JSON input text, while JSONB stores a processed representation that supports efficient operations and indexing. A view stores a query definition, whereas a materialized view stores the query's result for later reads. These are separate choices about data representation and precomputed results.

Key points:

  • JSON preserves input text; JSONB stores a processed format with useful indexing support.

  • A view stores a query; a materialized view stores its results and needs refreshing.

  • Use regular columns for data that needs strong relational rules and common filters.

  • A materialized view can become stale until refreshed; define freshness and refresh costs before relying on it for reports.

Interview point:

  • Flexible fields and cached reports are useful, but frequently filtered business keys often belong in well-constrained relational columns.
Adapted from 05_SQL_POSTGRESQL.md · “JSON vs JSONB, and views vs materialized views?”. Code examples are study fragments. Difficulty and core labels are editorial estimates; version-specific behavior should be checked against your project.