Abrufbarer

Abrufbarer is a German adjective derived from the verb abrufen, meaning to fetch, retrieve, or call up. The suffix -bar indicates that something can be performed, so abrufbar describes something that can be retrieved on request. The related noun Abrufbarkeit denotes retrievability or fetchability. In use, abrufbar is typically an attributive or predicative term: for example, ein abrufbarer Datensatz (a retrievable dataset) or Die Daten sind abrufbar (the data are retrievable). The form abrufbarer itself is usually not used as a standalone noun; instead, it appears in compounds or as part of a noun phrase.

In IT contexts, abrufbar refers to data, documents, or services that can be retrieved on demand via a defined interface—such as an API, database query, or user-facing search. It implies an operational mechanism for retrieval and is often paired with considerations of access control, latency, and consistency. This is distinct from simply "available" or "stored" because abrufbarkeit emphasizes the ability to fetch upon request. A resource described as abrufbar is expected to be accessible through an appropriate retrieval path with defined constraints and performance characteristics.

In libraries and digital archives, the term is used to indicate items that can be called up from a catalog or system upon user request, rather than requiring a separate retrieval process or physical handling. The concept is widely applied to datasets, documents, and digital assets to convey on-demand accessibility within standardized interfaces.

See also abrufbarkeit, verfügbarkeit, and retrieval in information systems.