What does it mean to create a 'view' in HANA?

Creating a 'view' in HANA means establishing a virtual table that presents data sourced from one or more underlying tables. This virtual table does not store the data itself; instead, it simply provides a way to access data through a defined query.

Views allow users to simplify complex queries, encapsulate business logic, and present data in a specific way without altering the underlying data structures. For example, you might use a view to combine rows from various tables or filter results to present only necessary information to specific users or applications.

The purpose of a view is to enhance data accessibility and organization while maintaining efficient storage and management of the original data. Therefore, the concept of creating views is a fundamental aspect of relational databases that facilitates better data handling and reporting capabilities.