An object identifier is anything associated with the object that persists throughout the life of the object
and that is unique to the object (ie, does not belong to any other object). Everyone is familiar with
biometric identifiers, such as fingerprints, iris patterns, and genome sequences. In the case of data objects,
the identifier usually refers to a randomly chosen long sequence of numbers and letters that is
permanently assigned to the object and that is never assigned to any other data object (see Glossary
item, Data object).
An identifier system is a set of data-related protocols that satisfy the following conditions: (1) Completeness
(ie, every unique object has an identifier); (2) Uniqueness (ie, each identifier is a unique sequence);
(3) Exclusivity (ie, each identifier is assigned to only one unique object and to no other object,
ever); (4) Authenticity (ie, objects that receive identification can be verified as the objects that they are
intended to be); (5) Aggregation (ie, all information associated with an identifier can be collected); and
(6) Permanence (ie, an identifier is never deleted).
- Jules Berman (copyrighted material)
key words: identifier, identification, uniqueness, data object, jules j berman
