Explain the relationship between a database view and a table.

A database view is a virtual table based on the result-set of an SQL statement that references one or more existing tables.

In more detail, a database view is a searchable object in a database that is defined by a query. Even though it's not physically present, it gives an output which is very similar to a regular database table. It's a set of rows and columns, just like a table. The fields in a view are fields from one or more real tables in the database.

The relationship between a database view and a table is that a view is a virtual table created as a result of a query on one or more tables. The tables that a view references are called base tables. The view itself does not store any data, it only displays data from the base tables. The data appearing in a view is retrieved from one or more tables through an SQL statement included in the view.

Views can be used to hide the complexity of data. For example, a view could be used to present aggregated data, hide data complexity, or protect sensitive data by not displaying it. This means that a user can obtain a specific subset of the data without the need to know exactly how to access the base tables in the database.

Furthermore, views can join and simplify multiple tables into a single virtual table. They can also be used to restrict access to the data because the view can display selective columns from the table. The users can be given permission to access the data through the view, without granting them the permission to directly access the entire base table.

In summary, a database view is a powerful tool that allows database administrators to manage and organise data in a way that users can easily understand and manipulate. It is a virtual table that presents the data stored in a table in a more simplified and organised manner.