User profile
Some applications collect data about the users with which they interact. The data is stored in a database. The next time the user interacts with the application, the application recalls the data.
Because the application already knows something about the user, it can provide the user with a more personalized experience.
User profiles provide a means by which a company can maintain and manage database tables containing fields for demographic data and use those tables to interact with a database of individual customers or other users on the company system.
For example, when a repeat user logs onto a Web site that supports user profiles, the Web site can display headlines and advertising tailored to the shopping preferences of that user. The site can address the user by logon name.
An application implementing user profiles requires database access for storing the user profile data it gathers.