ID

In short: An ID (identifier) is a unique value that designates an object, a person or a record.

In more detail: Examples: user ID in a database, ID card number, IMEI of a phone, UUID.

In Depth

In technology

Databases mostly use a primary key ID that is counted up automatically or a UUID. IDs should not reveal anything personal and should not be guessable if publicly visible.

Security

If the ID is in the URL (for example /user/42), the server must still check whether access is allowed. If that is missing it is called IDOR.

See also

identity, digital ID, identifiers.

See also: Identity, Digital ID, Identifiers