[sql] Difference between View and table in sql

Table: Table is a preliminary storage for storing data and information in RDBMS. A table is a collection of related data entries and it consists of columns and rows.

View: A view is a virtual table whose contents are defined by a query. Unless indexed, a view does not exist as a stored set of data values in a database. Advantages over table are

  • We can combine columns/rows from multiple table or another view and have a consolidated view.
  • Views can be used as security mechanisms by letting users access data through the view, without granting the users permissions to directly access the underlying base tables of the view
  • It acts as abstract layer to downstream systems, so any change in schema is not exposed and hence the downstream systems doesn't get affected.