Static vs. Dynamic: What’s the Difference?

One of the most common query questions we get has to do with the static and dynamic format.  Which should you choose?  Let me tell you a story that will explain the difference. 

You have two file clerks in the office: Static and Dynamic.  You ask them both to find accounts that use account code 5555.  Static is the more meticulous of the two, bringing with her a handful of paperclips.  She locates the accounts and places a paperclip on each of them.  Dynamic just likes the adventure of the task and dives right in.  He does not mark each account, but locates them just the same.  Both return the same list of accounts.  You thank the clerks and they return the files to the file cabinets. 

A month goes by and you've added a few more accounts with account code 5555.  You ask your willing file clerks to again locate all the accounts with this account code.  Static remembers the accounts she pulled earlier and only retrieves the accounts with the paperclips.  Dynamic dives right in as usual, but he notices there are more accounts with the account code 5555 than before.  This time you get different lists. Dynamic gives you a list of all accounts where Static gives you the same list as before. 

The reason?  Dynamic will refresh his list with each request so it always includes up-to-date information.  On the other hand, Static is more like a snapshot she will always give you the original list. Dynamic queries are the most commonly used type.  I would recommend a static query if you always want to capture the same set of accounts, employees, transactions, or vendors.