SQL views offer a way to create virtual tables based on the result of a query. This can be useful for simplifying complex queries, enabling users to work with a subset of data, or providing a consistent interface to data across different versions or structures. Views can also enhance security by allowing access only to the data users need, without exposing the underlying tables. However, it's worth noting that views can demand additional compute resources and introduce a potential performance overhead. Materialized views can be used to address some of these concerns by precomputing and storing the view's result, but they come with their own trade-offs such as increased storage requirements and potential staleness of data. It's important to consider the specific requirements of your application when deciding whether to use views or not.

Using views in SQL can provide several benefits such as simplifying complex queries, enhancing data security by controlling access to underlying tables, and promoting code reuse. Views can also help in maintaining data integrity by serving as a layer of abstraction between the users and the underlying database structure. However, there are some drawbacks to consider. Views have a computational cost since they need to be evaluated each time they're queried. They may also introduce additional complexity when it comes to performance optimization, as the optimizer needs to consider the underlying view definition during query execution. Additionally, some database systems have limitations regarding update operations on views, which can hinder their usability in certain scenarios.

SQL views can be a powerful tool for organizing and presenting data in a more intuitive way. By defining views, you can hide complex joins or calculations behind a simpler, more intuitive interface. This can make it easier for application developers to work with the data. Additionally, views can help enforce security by providing controlled access to sensitive information. On the other hand, the use of views can introduce some performance considerations. Since views are essentially stored queries, retrieving data from a view can incur additional overhead. Furthermore, updating data through a view can be more complex and slower than updating the underlying tables directly. It's important to carefully evaluate the trade-offs before deciding to use views in your database design.