MySQL Views

In MySQL, a View is like a virtual table that represents the result of a SQL query.
It doesn’t store any data physically — it only displays data fetched from one or more tables based on the query logic used to create the view.

Views are useful when you want to hide complexity, restrict access to sensitive columns, or reuse a common query.
For example, if you often query active users from a large table with conditions, you can create a view and use it like a regular table without rewriting the logic.

General Syntax:

CREATE [OR REPLACE] VIEW view_name AS
SELECT column1, column2, ...
FROM table_name
WHERE condition;

Example:

CREATE VIEW active_customers AS
SELECT id, name, email
FROM customers
WHERE status = 'active';

Querying the View:

SELECT * FROM active_customers;

This returns all customers with an ‘active’ status, as defined by the original query.

Benefits of Using Views:

• Simplification: Complex queries can be stored as views and reused.
• Security: Restrict access to specific columns or rows.
• Consistency: Centralize logic that would otherwise be duplicated across queries.
• Logical Separation: Allows abstraction from actual table structure.