View source for Persistent Object Identifier

In [[Database|database]] design, a '''Persistent Object Identifier (POID)''' is a [[Unique key|unique identifier]] of a record on a table, used as the [[Primary key|primary key]].  Important characteristics of a POID are that it does not carry business information and are not generally exported or otherwise made visible to data users; as such a POID has many of the characteristics of a [[Surrogate key|surrogate key]].  The only purpose of the POID is to act as the primary key on the table where it is defined and to be referenced as the [[Foreign key|foreign key]] by other tables.  Because POIDs, like surrogate keys, do not carry business information, they are immune to changes in the form or meaning of business data.
==See also==
* [[Natural key]]
* [[Primary key]]
* [[Surrogate key]]
* [[Unique key]]
* [[Object identifier]]
==External links==
* [http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0306_biernat/biernat.html Persistent Object ID Service]
* [http://blog.telemapics.com/?p=92 What is a Persistent Object Identifier and why should I care?]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110714223727/http://devnet.objectivity.com/objects_faq Persistent Object]
[[Category:Database theory]]

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