idforobj

Idforobj is a term used in software development to describe a mechanism for obtaining or assigning a unique identifier for a given object. The phrase is not standardized and may refer to a function, method, or pattern implemented in various programming languages to map objects to identifiers.

In practice, idforobj can be used for serialization, caching, change tracking, or graph processing. The identifier may be stable across program runs (persistent) or only valid during a single execution (ephemeral). Some systems require the identifier to be globally unique, while others only need local uniqueness within a particular context.

Common approaches to idforobj include using a dedicated identity map that stores a per-object id, generating a UUID or GUID when the object is first encountered, or computing a hash code derived from the object's state. Some implementations assign identifiers lazily, creating them when idforobj is first requested to minimize upfront overhead. The chosen approach depends on requirements for stability, performance, and memory usage.

Considerations for using idforobj include ensuring uniqueness, avoiding memory leaks from long-lived references, handling object mutations that could affect identity, and privacy concerns when identifiers reveal object details. In distributed or multi-system environments, idforobj often implies a globally unique identifier to enable cross-system references and durable identity across sessions and services.

See also: object identity, hashing, UUID, identity map, serialization.