Data Simplification: Identifiers

Over the next few weeks, I will be writing on topics related to my latest book, Data Simplification: Taming Information With Open Source Tools (release date March 23, 2016). I hope I can convince you that this is a book worth reading. Blog readers can use the discount code: COMP315 for a 30% discount, at checkout. "I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific." -Lily Tomlin An object identifier is anything associated with the object that persists throughout the life of the object and that is unique to the object (i.e., 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 which is never assigned to any other data object. An identifier system is a set of data-related protocols that satisfy the following conditions: 1) Completeness (i.e., every unique object has an identifier); 2) Uniqueness (i.e., each identifier is a unique sequence); 3. Exclusivity (i.e., each identifier is assigned to only one unique object, and to no other object, ever); 4) Authenticity (i.e., objects that receive identification can be verified as the objects that they are intended to be); 5) Aggregation (all information associated with an identifier can be collected); and 6) Permanence (i.e., an identifier is...
Source: Specified Life - Category: Information Technology Tags: complexity computer science data analysis data repurposing data simplification data wrangling identifiers information science simplifying data taming data Source Type: blogs