Three-Schema Architecture — User Views In the ANSI/SPARC three-schema architecture, user views are included as part of which schema layer?

Introduction:
The three-schema architecture separates database description into layers to promote independence and flexibility. This question confirms whether you can identify where user-specific views belong in that framework.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Three layers exist: internal, conceptual, and external.
• User views are tailored perspectives of the data.
• Exactly one layer is responsible for these individualized representations.

Concept / Approach:
The external schema represents user views and application-specific perspectives. The conceptual schema captures the global, community-wide structure of the entire database independent of physical storage. The internal schema concerns physical storage, file structures, and access paths. Therefore, user views map to the external schema layer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Define each schema layer’s purpose.2) Match “user views” to the layer that presents customized subsets and representations.3) Conclude that user views are the domain of the external schema.

Verification / Alternative check:
Architectural diagrams and academic references consistently label user views at the external level, decoupled from physical storage concerns.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Internal: Physical storage and access strategies, not user views.
• Conceptual: Unified, organization-wide logical model, not individualized views.
• None of the above / Application: User views are explicitly mapped to the external schema, not a generic application layer.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing conceptual (global) with external (user-specific) models. Remember: external = views; conceptual = enterprise-wide logical structure.

Final Answer:
External