This is clearly explained here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/View_%28database%29[
^].
—SA[Also note the article for Database normalization:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Database_normalization[
^]
If a database is well designed, the tables will be normalized (there are exceptions due to performance issues). Views let you have a normalized database, and yet be able to see the data in a much easier to read form. — Clifford Nelson]
P.S.:
Thanks to Clifford for an interesting addition and a useful link on the database normalization and related aspect of the use of the views.