Vakiotunnus

Vakiotunnus, often translated as "standard identifier" or "persistent identifier," is a type of unique and permanent reference used to identify a digital object, such as a scholarly article, dataset, or image. The primary purpose of a vakiotunnus is to ensure that the identity of an object remains stable over time, even if its location or other metadata changes. This persistence is crucial for the long-term accessibility and discoverability of digital resources.

Common examples of vakiotunnus include Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs), Handles, and ARK identifiers. These systems are managed by registration agencies that assign and maintain the unique identifiers. When an object is assigned a vakiotunnus, its metadata is linked to that identifier. If the object is moved to a new server or its URL changes, the metadata associated with the vakiotunnus can be updated to point to the new location, thus preventing broken links and ensuring continued access.

The use of vakiotunnus is particularly important in the academic and research communities, where it facilitates citation, data sharing, and the preservation of digital scholarly output. By providing a stable point of reference, vakiotunnus contributes to the reliability and reproducibility of research. They are also increasingly used in cultural heritage institutions and other sectors that manage digital assets. The underlying infrastructure for vakiotunnus systems is designed to be robust and scalable, supporting a vast number of digital objects globally.