Persistent Identifier (of Data)
A persistent identifier (PID) is a unique code used to identify digital objects, such as data sets, publications, and other digital resources. PIDs are used to ensure that digital objects can be reliably located, retrieved, and cited over time. PIDs are also used to link digital objects to other related objects, such as related publications, data sets, and other digital resources. PIDs are typically assigned to digital objects when they are created, and remain with the object throughout its life cycle.
History of Persistent Identifiers
The concept of persistent identifiers has been around since the early days of computing. In the 1970s, the US Department of Defense developed the Universal Unique Identifier (UUID) system to identify objects in a distributed computing environment. In the 1990s, the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) system was developed to identify books and other publications. In the 2000s, the Digital Object Identifier (DOI) system was developed to identify digital objects, such as publications, data sets, and other digital resources.
Today, persistent identifiers are used in many different contexts, including scientific research, digital libraries, and digital preservation. PIDs are used to ensure that digital objects can be reliably located, retrieved, and cited over time. PIDs are also used to link digital objects to other related objects, such as related publications, data sets, and other digital resources.
Comparison of Persistent Identifiers
| Identifier | Description |
|---|---|
| UUID | Universal Unique Identifier |
| ISBN | International Standard Book Number |
| DOI | Digital Object Identifier |
Summary
A persistent identifier (PID) is a unique code used to identify digital objects, such as data sets, publications, and other digital resources. PIDs are used to ensure that digital objects can be reliably located, retrieved, and cited over time. PIDs are also used to link digital objects to other related objects, such as related publications, data sets, and other digital resources. Common PIDs include the Universal Unique Identifier (UUID), the International Standard Book Number (ISBN), and the Digital Object Identifier (DOI). For more information about persistent identifiers, please visit the International DOI Foundation website (https://www.doi.org/).
See Also
- Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- International Standard Book Number (ISBN)
- Universal Unique Identifier (UUID)
- Digital Preservation
- Data Citation
- Data Management
- Metadata
- Data Standards
- Data Sharing
- Data Repositories
