Which of the following statement is true about database views?
Views always store a duplicate copy of the data
Views can be used to restrict access to sensitive columns
Views cannot be queried like normal database tables
Views cannot be updated under any condition
ANSWER
The correct option is (b): views can be used to restrict access to sensitive columns.
Official answer: BSource: ISRO's final answer key of 15 May 2026
A view is a stored query (a virtual table). Its rows are computed from the base tables whenever the view is queried, so an ordinary view holds no copy of the data of its own.
Option (a) is false. An ordinary view does not store a duplicate copy of the data. Only a materialized view stores its result, and that is a special kind of view, so the word 'always' makes the statement wrong.
Option (b) is true. A view can select only the permitted columns (or rows) of a base table. Users are given access to the view and not to the base table, so the sensitive columns stay hidden.
Option (c) is false. A view can appear in the FROM clause of a SELECT exactly like a table, so it can be queried like one.
Option (d) is false. Simple views, such as those on a single table that keep the primary key and use no aggregates, joins or DISTINCT, can be updated, and the change passes through to the base table. So views are not non-updatable 'under any condition'.
Only option (b) is correct.
KEY IDEA
A view is a stored query, a virtual table. Granting users access to a view that exposes only chosen columns or rows is the standard way to hide sensitive data in the base table.
WATCH OUT FOR
Mixing up an ordinary view with a materialized view and picking (a), or assuming a view can never be updated and picking (d). Absolute words such as 'always' and 'under any condition' usually make a statement false.
From the ISRO CS 2025 paper. Every question of this paper · The full paper (PDF, ISRO) · All 4 ISRO SQL questions, with notes
