Hi Ingo,
ad 1): Using PlanViz you get pretty far here.
ad 2): "Comparing CE-functions vs. logically equivalent SQL" - that's a nonsense requirement as SQL commands are doing things that require multiple sets of CE functions.
If the point is to see whether implementing a view with CE-functions or as scripted calcview - implement both and use PlanViz.
In fact you could also just run your most popular/important queries against those views a couple of times and check if there are any differences.
However, using CE function is not just about query speed. It's also about how hard the resulting code is to maintain.
If not "forced" by some important factor, I recommend to stick with SQL.
That's something you understand today and in six months from now (hopefully).
CE-functions.... rather not.
ad 3) Sure - just run PlanViz on the SQL you use to call your calc. view.
- Lars