Globally Unique Identifier

A globally unique identifier is like a special name that is given to something to make sure that it is unique and can be identified from everything else in the world. It’s kind of like how your name is unique to you and helps people know who you are.

But unlike your name, which only identifies you in your own community, a globally unique identifier is unique all over the world. This is important because sometimes lots of things can have the same name, especially on the internet. So, if each thing has its own globally unique identifier, it makes it easier for computers to tell them apart and for people to find them.

Think of it like a big library. Each book in the library has a unique ID number stamped on it. So, if two books have the same title, the librarians can still tell them apart because each book has its own ID number. Similarly, a globally unique identifier helps to differentiate between similar things that might have the same name.

An example of a globally unique identifier is a GUID (Globally Unique Identifier). It is a long string of letters and numbers that is randomly generated and assigned to something. GUIDs are used in computer systems to identify things like files, software applications, or even individual users. They are useful because they can be guaranteed to be unique, even across different computer systems or networks.

In summary, a globally unique identifier is like a special name that is unique all over the world and helps to differentiate between similar things that might have the same name. It’s like a library ID number for things on the internet or in computer systems.