0.12: What are user profiles?

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.

Basically, user profiles allow a company to 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 his or her logon name.

An application implementing user profiles requires database access for storing the user profile data it gathers.

WebSphere Application Server provides user profile support in the form of programming APIs (for the developer) and User Profile Managers that specify the Java classes and data sources providing user profile support (for the administrator).