Answer
Schema binding associates a view or function tightly with the underlying schema so that the referenced objects cannot be modified in incompatible ways without first changing the bound object.
Importance:
- Required for indexed views and some computed columns, ensuring structural stability.
- Prevents accidental changes (e.g., dropping or altering columns) that would silently break dependent logic.
- Helps enforce contracts between application code, views, and functions.
In high-governance environments, schema binding is a tool to ensure that refactoring is deliberate and fully impact-assessed.