Question:

Databases in Real Life

So far, we've seen two examples of databases used in real life situations - for a pet shelter
to store data about their animals and for an online retailer to store data about their inventory.

There are examples all around of information stored in database structures all around in daily life.
Here are two more to get you thinking.

Bank Accounts

Banks heavily rely organized information not only about their users but also about the global market in order
to stay in business. You can imagine their databases would need to contain several tables that group together
associated data.

For example, there could be a table just to track individual user information such as - user ID, checking account number, checking account amount, savings account number, savings account amount, user's address, user's birthdate, usernames, passwords, etc. There could be another table used to track more universal information such as currency exchange rates, credit card rates, loan rates, etc.

Information in these databases is under close surveillance because it is so valuable. Does the term "Cyber Security" ring a bell? There are entire divisions devoted to securing the information in these databases.

Airlines

If you've ever booked a ticket for a flight online through an airline website, you've most likely been asked to
enter a frequent flyer number. Airlines can use that piece of data to find out other information about their customers by searching through their database table that stores customer information.

This table could include additional customer information such as - name, address, phone number, frequent flyer number, credit card information, flight number, seat number, etc.

In addition, the airlines need tables with information about the flights happening each day. These tables could include data about - aircraft number, departure airport, arrival airport, number of filled seats, departure times, arrival times, connectioning flights etc.

Airlines would use information across several different tables to help you figure out what's the safest and most efficient way to get to your final destination.

Next time you're purchasing an item at the grocery store or booking flights and hotels for your next trip, consider where that information is coming from and how it's stored. You'll quickly realize how of your day involves interacting with organized data!