Glossary · Semantic interoperability and information models
Semantic identifier
Also known as: Concept identifier
German: Semantischer Identifikator
In semantic interoperability, a semantic identifier is a globally unique identifier of a concept definition, such as a class, property or unit in a dictionary or ontology, typically an IRDI (as used by ECLASS and IEC 61360 dictionaries) or an IRI, that data elements reference to state their meaning unambiguously.
- Information models
In one sentence
A semantic identifier uniquely identifies a concept definition, such as a dictionary property, so that data can reference its meaning.
Example
Two suppliers name the field Nennspannung and rated voltage, but both reference the same dictionary property identifier, so the buyer's system merges them correctly.
How it applies
- Engineering: Reference semantic identifiers from established dictionaries or ontologies wherever possible, instead of relying on field names or labels in a particular language.
- Integration: Semantic identifiers are language-independent, which makes them useful for multilingual data and for automatic matching across companies.
- Documentation: Documentation metadata can also use semantic identifiers, for example the IRIs of iiRDS classes. This lets content delivery systems interpret metadata without custom configuration.
Semantic identifier vs. object identifier
An object identifier, such as a serial number or GUID, designates a particular thing. A semantic identifier designates a concept, a kind of meaning, such as rated voltage. A product's data uses both: object identifiers for which product, semantic identifiers for what each value means.