Thanks @kmedcalf and @larrybr. I'm currently using an embedded sqlite v3.28.0; where does that leave me with respect to trying to short-circuit the subquery? I see that `AS MATERIALIZED` / `AS NOT MATERIALIZED` were introduced only recently, in v3.35.0. Or... upon a subsequent readings, it sounds like "NOT MATERIALIZED" is what I want, and it is the default prior to v3.35.0; so I'm good, provided I use add the termination condition you'd suggested?