DataTerminology.comNEW
Also known as: PID
A long-lasting identifier that reliably references a resource and remains resolvable over time.
DESCRIPTION
A persistent identifier is a durable reference for digital or physical resources, ensuring stable identification and resolution despite changes in location or ownership. PIDs aid citation, provenance, and interoperability by linking to metadata and landing pages. Common PID systems include DOIs, Handles, ARKs, and ORCIDs. PID infrastructures provide registries, resolvers, and governance to maintain persistence. Proper PID usage enhances data reuse, FAIR compliance, and long-term accessibility.
ALTERNATIVE DEFINITIONS
Wikipedia
A persistent identifier (PID) is a long-lasting reference to a document, file, web page, or other object.
Broadly defines PIDs across media and resource types.
DataCite
Persistent identifiers (PIDs) are long-lasting references to digital resources that are used to ensure they can be reliably identified and accessed over time.
Emphasizes reliability and long-term access for digital resources.
RELATED TERMS
Digital Object Identifier Handle System ARK URN PURL ORCID W3ID Resolver Namespace Metadata
COMPETING TERMS
URL Uniform Resource Identifier
RELATIONS
- Narrower: ARK
KNOWLEDGE AREAS
Data Management Metadata Management Document & Content Management Data Integration & Interoperability Reference & Master Data
TARGET AUDIENCE
Data Steward Information Analyst Data Governance Manager Data Management Consultant Data Scientist
EXTERNAL SOURCES
- Wikipedia - Persistent identifier
- International DOI Foundation - DOI system handbook
- Handle System - Handle PID infrastructure
- ARK Alliance - ARK PID overview
TOP QUESTIONS
Why are Persistent Identifiers important?
They provide stable references for resources, enabling reliable citation, discovery, and long-term access even when URLs change.
Category: Relevancy
What are common types of Persistent Identifiers?
DOI, Handle, ARK, URN, PURL, and ORCID are widely used across scholarly communication and data repositories.
Category: Examples
How do Persistent Identifiers resolve?
They resolve via resolvers and registries that redirect the PID to a landing page or metadata record describing the resource.
Category: Mechanism
What is a common mistake with PIDs?
Linking directly to the resource file instead of the PID landing page reduces persistence and discoverability.
Category: Mistakes
What risks exist with PIDs?
Poor registry governance or broken metadata can degrade resolution quality and resource discoverability over time.
Category: Risk
How do PIDs support FAIR principles?
They enhance findability and accessibility by providing globally unique, resolvable identifiers linked to standardized metadata.
Category: Benefits
How should organizations implement PIDs?
Adopt recognized PID schemes, register resources with rich metadata, and maintain resolver targets and landing pages.
Category: HowTo
Are PIDs only for digital objects?
No, PIDs can reference physical objects, people, and organizations when supported by appropriate registries.
Category: Clarification
What is the difference between a PID and a URL?
A PID is designed for persistence and resolution; a URL is a location that may change or break over time.
Category: Comparison