I have several query layers in an ArcGIS Pro 1.4 project, each accessing the same database view, but each with a different where-clause in their source SQL-select statement. Each layer has thus only a few dozens or thousands of features, while the view itself in its entirety has millions of rows. Of course, no layer ever queries the entire view.
We distribute this ArcGIS Pro project to our users on a read-only file share.
Thanks in advance for your time & thoughts
Christophe
Outside of the Men's Warehouse, I am not sure anyone guarantees much of anything. If you are using a definition query or build a layer query using a where clause, the clause should be invoked every time the data is refreshed. If it doesn't happen, by chance, it would be a bug.