How do views differ from tables?

Short answer: Data Storage: Table: Stores actual data in the database.

Explain a bit more

View: A virtual table that shows data from one or more tables but does not store data. It derives its data from the underlying tables each time it is queried. Modifications: Table: You can insert, update, or delete data directly. View: You cannot modify data in a view unless certain conditions are met. Some views (those based on a single table) are updatable, while others (especially those with JOINs, aggregations, or complex logic) are not. Performance: Table: Generally optimized for performance with indexes, data distribution, and so on. View: May have slower performance due to the query being executed each time the view is accessed, especially if it's a complex view or involves large datasets.

Real-world example (ShopNest)

ShopNest’s SQL Server database stores customers, products, and orders. Good indexes and clear foreign keys keep checkout queries fast and safe.

Say this in the interview

1. Define — one clear sentence (the short answer above).
2. Example — relate it to a project like ShopNest or your real work.
3. Trade-off — when you would not use it.