identifier
Let an agent explain identifiers and their properties, distinguish kinds and schemes, relay standards for common identifiers, and help choose or interpret an identifier scheme for a given purpose.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent explain identifiers and their properties, distinguish kinds and schemes, relay standards for common identifiers, and help choose or interpret an identifier scheme for a given purpose.
A name, number, code or symbol that designates a particular entity so that it can be distinguished from others and referred to consistently, such as personal names and national identity numbers, product codes, ISBNs, DOIs, URLs, database keys and variable names in programming; identifiers are assigned under schemes that define their form, scope and uniqueness, and their persistence and resolution are central to information systems.
What it is for: Distinguishing and referring to entities consistently.
It can be explain the concept and properties; distinguish kinds and schemes; relay standards; help choose or interpret schemes.
Distinguishing features
Uniqueness within a scope
Assigned under a scheme
Persistence and resolvability
Human-readable or opaque
What it looks like
Not a visible object; strings such as numbers, codes and names attached to things.
How it is recognised
Designation that distinguishes one entity
Names, numbers, codes, keys
A description characterises; a classification groups; an identifier singles out
Related models
is a kind of - in registry terms
is assigned by - the registry or authority
is contrasted with - which characterises
is resolved by - in persistent identifier systems
In practice
Families and kinds
personal identifiers such as names and identity numbers
bibliographic identifiers such as ISBN, ISSN and DOI
product and trade identifiers such as GTIN barcodes
network identifiers such as URLs, IP addresses and domain names
database keys and UUIDs
identifiers in programming languages
Identifiers
URI RFC 3986 generic identifier syntax
UUID RFC 9562 universally unique identifiers
Standards and regulation
ISO standards for ISBN, ISSN, ISNI and DOI
RFCs for URIs and UUIDs
Data protection rules for personal identifiers
National identity number laws
Failure modes and hazards
Collisions and ambiguity
Identifier rot and broken links
Privacy risks from personal identifiers
Confusing identifiers across scopes
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Also registered as vr.tr.identifier
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Concept What an identifier is.
Definition.
Definition
Definition and properties.
Definition
Definition.
- What is an identifier, and what properties such as uniqueness and persistence matter? definition
- Is the string an identifier, a description or a classification code? boundary
Kinds
Kinds and schemes.
Kinds
Kinds.
- What kinds of identifier and scheme exist across domains? definition
- Which entry fits the specific scheme? action
Choose Choosing and using schemes.
Practice.
Choose
Choosing a scheme.
Choose
Choose.
- How is an identifier scheme chosen for a given purpose, considering scope, persistence and governance? action
- What scheme fits the case in question? measurement
Interpret
Interpreting identifiers.
Interpret
Interpret.
- How can an identifier be parsed, validated and resolved? action
- Which references are standard? provenance
Systems Identifiers in systems.
Technology.
Persistent
Persistent identifiers.
Persistent
Persistent.
- How do DOI, ORCID and other persistent identifier systems work? provenance
- Which entry fits persistent identifier? action
Data
Keys and data management.
Data
Data.
- How are identifiers used as keys in databases and linked data? provenance
- Which entry fits database key? action
Society Personal identifiers and history.
Context.
Privacy
Privacy and identity.
Privacy
Privacy.
- What rules govern personal identifiers and national identity numbers, and what risks arise? provenance
- Is the user asking about their own identity data, which needs the relevant authority? boundary
History
History.
History
History.
- How did identifier systems develop, from names and registers to barcodes and URIs? provenance
- Which sources are cited? provenance
What the second pass must settle
- Should persistent identifier be a separate entry?
- How should identifier standards be linked?
- How should scheme governance be recorded?