URIspecific

URIspecific is a term used to describe data, resources, or services that are designed to be accessed and identified by a specific Uniform Resource Identifier (URI). The concept emphasizes direct, stable addressing and predictable retrieval by using a known URI as the primary means of identification and access.

Core characteristics include a one-to-one mapping between a URI and the resource it represents, dereferenceable URIs that return a representation when accessed, and policies to ensure persistence and stability of the URI over time. URIspecific design favors canonical, well-structured URIs and clear deprecation or migration paths to prevent URI fragmentation.

In practice, URIspecific resources are common in RESTful APIs, Linked Data, and content-addressable storage. Real-world patterns include using stable, repository-managed URIs for documents, datasets, or concepts; employing redirects or 303 See Other to distinguish information resources from non-information resources; and providing a consistent URI scheme that encodes resource identity rather than its representation.

Benefits include improved linkability, easier caching and indexing, and robust long-term access. Critics note that over-rigid URI schemas can hinder evolution or require careful governance to maintain backward compatibility. In any URIspecific design, documentation on URI structure, versioning, and dereferencing behavior is essential.

Related concepts include Uniform Resource Identifier, RESTful design, Linked Data, and content-addressable storage.