| |||||||||
Identifiers (IDs) are used in computer science, data processing, and general telecommunications; the concept is analogous to that of a "name".
In computer science, an identifier is a string of bits (or characters) which name an entity, such as a program, device, or system; in order that other entities can "call" that entity. In programming languages, identifiers are lexical units which name a language object, such as a variable, array, record, label, or procedure.
In telecommunications and data processing systems, an identifier is one (or more) characters used to identify the name, or characterize the nature of properties (or contents) of a set of data elements.