Summary Matrix
| Attribute | Discount | Coupon Code |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | The underlying price reduction logic rule | The alphanumeric key triggering the rule |
| Customer Action Required | None (if automatic) or code entry | Must manually type or paste the code |
| Marketing Attribution | General storewide promotions | Tracks specific influencers, emails, or ads |
| Database Relationship | Discount Rule (1) | Can have multiple coupon codes (N) mapping to 1 discount rule |
Key Difference
A Discount is the business rule (e.g. “Take $10 off orders over $50”).
A Coupon Code is a trigger string (e.g. SAVE10) that unlocks that discount rule during checkout.
Developer Takeaway
Many-to-One Code Mapping: Design your discount schema so multiple distinct coupon codes (e.g. INFLUENCER_ALICE, INFLUENCER_BOB) point to the same underlying discount_id calculation logic while tracking attribution separately.