I.The definition of database
Formally, a database refers to a set of related data and the way it is organized. Access to this data is usually provided by a database management system (DBMS), a software that allows users to interact with one or more databases and provides access to all of the data contained in the database (although restrictions may exist that limit access to particular data). The DBMS provides various functions that allow definition, creation, update and query of large quantities of information and provides ways to manage how that information is organized.
source: here
Here is an example of a use of database I found on glitch
II. My own use of a Database
The context
In this paragraph, I am going to explain in which context I think database could be useful. In my opinion, one of the most obvious example would be for small stores.
When a small store launch a new product, they have to target their audience in order to make come the right customers to their store to maximize their luck to sell their new product.
Not everyone is Amazon and can sell every new product just because of a very large number of customers. Targetting is the key for small stores and Database is a solution !
Here we are going to imagine that we are a small local bio food store which just receive an antistress tisane.
Stress usually concern people which are still at school or still working because those are stressful environment.
I might want to email precisely those people to tell them about the launch of my new product. Well ! Database is going to allow me to do it !
Let's discover how could look this code ! :)
Quick reminder : we want to select people under 65 years old ( still active).
Thus, we will have to select the age or the date of birth inside our database thanks to our program.
Here is an example of a code that selects customers under 30 years old thanks to a database. To adapt it to our food store we will only have to replace 30 by 65 years old for instance
Database could also be use to select the gender of customers, their country and many other things ...
The Benefits of the use of database
Database allows stores, websites, firms to target which is essential in order to bring the right customers. Moreover many stores uses tools nowadays to send mass emails which have quite a cost: that's why targetting is essential in order to not waste money on the wrong customers. Database permits to increase benefits.
III.Conclusion
Databases are an essential tools nowadays in sales and marketing strategies and are used almost by everyfirm.
However we could criticize it because it allows stores, shops, firms to have a very agressive and invasive strategy to sell their products to their customers.
The number of unsollicited emails we receive everyday is a great example of it.
Moreover in an era of overconsumption, always incitating people to consum thanks to databases can be criticized.
Thanks for your attention :)