URIiin

URIiin is a proposed open scheme for universal resource identifiers that embeds operational intent and contextual metadata directly into the URI string. The concept aims to enable clearer routing, automated negotiation, and richer resource description across web services, APIs, and Internet of Things devices.

Origin and development: URIiin originated in academic discussions and informal standards work in the late 2010s and early 2020s, intended as an extension to existing URI syntax. While it has generated interest in some experimental projects, it has not been adopted as a formal standard by major standards bodies.

Syntax and features: The scheme uses a URI scheme named "uriin". A typical URIiin string consists of a primary resource identifier followed by a metadata segment that encodes key-value pairs. Example: uriin:device/sensor123;type=temperature;unit=celsius?action=read&priority=high. The semicolon-separated metadata follows the path and precedes the query-like portion; it is designed to be parsed by specialized libraries that preserve backward compatibility with standard URIs where possible.

Standards status: As of this writing, URIiin remains in the realm of proposals and experimental implementations. No RFC or equivalent formal standard exists; discussions are hosted by open-working groups but adoption remains limited.

Reception and use: Proponents argue URIiin can reduce coordination overhead and improve automation by making intent explicit. Critics point to increased parsing complexity, potential security and privacy concerns, and compatibility issues with existing infrastructure.

See also: Uniform Resource Identifier, URL, Semantic Web.