Database VIEW does not reflect the data in the underying TABLE

Question

Input:

The customer claims that the application (.NET) when querying for some data returns data different from when the customer looks into the data table directly

Answer 1

Yes, sort of.

Possible Causes:

1. The View needs to be refreshed or recompiled. Happens when source column definitions change and the View (or something it depends on) is using "*", can be nasty. Call sp_RefreshView. Can also happen because of views or functions (data sources) that it calls as well.

2. The View is looking at something different from what they/you think. They are looking at the wrong table or view.

3. The View is transforming the data in an unexpected way. It works right, just not like they expected.

4. The View is returning a different subset of the data than expected. Again, it works right, just not like they think.

5. They are looking at the wrong database/server or with a Logon/user identity that causes the View to alter what it shows. Particularly nefarious because unlike Management Studio, most client programs do not tell you what database/server they are pointed at.