SQL views are essentially stored queries. They don't store data themselves; instead, they act as a window into existing tables. This means changes to the underlying tables are automatically reflected in the view. Views can be extremely useful for simplifying complex queries, providing controlled access to data, and presenting data in a customized format. For example, a view could be created to show only specific columns from multiple tables, or to aggregate data in a particular way. This can significantly improve the efficiency and readability of your queries. Imagine a large database with multiple tables related to customer orders, products, and payments. Instead of writing a complex query every time you need to see a summary of total sales by product category, you can create a view that performs this calculation. This view can then be queried like any other table, making your code much cleaner and easier to maintain. Views also help with data security. You can create a view that only shows specific columns from a table, preventing unauthorized access to sensitive data.