Linkziels

Linkziels are the destinations of hyperlinks within a hypertext system. They are abstract entities that receive links and enable navigation between resources.

In formal models, a Linkziel is assigned a unique identifier, a reference to the target resource, and metadata such as resource type, access rules, and expiration policy. Linkziels may be static (permanent) or dynamic (redirectable or context-dependent).

The relationship to links and the overall structure is that each hyperlink encodes a pointer to a Linkziel; together with the source node and the link, they form a directed graph representing the navigational network. In implementations, Linkziels can be actual resources (web pages) or virtual destinations resolved by routing logic.

Implementations and examples vary. In content management systems, Linkziels may be stored as records with a canonical URL and ancillary data; in digital libraries, Linkziels map to metadata records or catalog entries. They can also be used in simulations of navigation or in analytics to study user flows.

Applications and challenges include navigation design, link integrity checks, SEO analysis, and planning for content migration. Challenges encompass link rot, dynamic destinations that change over time, and privacy concerns when destination decisions depend on user data or context.

History and terminology: The term Linkziel (plural Linkziels) appears in theoretical discussions to distinguish the destination from the link itself. See also: hyperlinks, URL, URI, graph theory.