Identifiers Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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identifiers

[aษชหˆdษ›ntษชหŒfaษชษ™rz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in computer science

Identifiers are names given to various elements in a programming language, such as variables, functions, classes, etc. They are used to uniquely identify these elements within the program.

Synonyms

labels, names, symbols.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
identifiers

Use in programming or technical contexts where unique identification is needed for objects, variables, or entities.

  • Variable names in programming languages act as identifiers.
  • Each user is associated with a unique identifier in the database.
names

Commonly used in everyday situations and in contexts where something needs a formal or informal designation.

  • My name is John.
  • The new product line has interesting names.
labels

Appropriate for general contexts where something needs a tag or description. Often used in everyday life or packaging.

  • She put labels on all her storage boxes.
  • The bottle has a label with ingredients and nutritional information.
symbols

Best used when referring to signs, marks, or characters representing ideas, objects, or relationships. Often seen in mathematics, science, or cultural texts.

  • The heart is a symbol of love.
  • In algebra, letters are often used as symbols for variables.

Examples of usage

  • Each variable in the program must have a unique identifier.
  • The function identifier should clearly describe its purpose.
Context #2 | Noun

in psychology

Identifiers are characteristics or traits that distinguish one individual from another. They can be physical, such as fingerprints, or psychological, such as personality traits.

Synonyms

distinguishing features, markers, traits.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
identifiers

Used to refer to symbols, words, or objects that serve to uniquely identify something or someone, mainly in technical or formal contexts.

  • In the database, 'user_id' is a unique identifier for each user.
  • The barcode serves as an identifier for each product in the store.
markers

Usually refers to signs, symptoms, or indicators that can show or signal the presence of something, often used in medical, scientific, or academic contexts.

  • Elevated blood pressure can be a marker of heart disease.
  • In linguistics, certain phonetic markers can signal a speaker's regional accent.
traits

Refers to characteristics or attributes of a person, animal, or thing that are inherent and can describe their nature or behavior, often used in psychological, biological, or personal contexts.

  • Kindness and honesty are important personality traits.
  • Genetic traits like eye color are inherited from our parents.
distinguishing features

Refers to specific characteristics that make something or someone stand out from others, often used in descriptive, biological, or comparative contexts.

  • The cheetah's speed and spotted coat are its distinguishing features.
  • One of the distinguishing features of this phone is its high-resolution camera.

Examples of usage

  • Fingerprints are unique identifiers for each person.
  • Personality traits can serve as identifiers in psychological studies.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Technology

  • In programming, identifiers are names given to variables, functions, or classes to distinguish them from one another.
  • Internet domains serve as identifiers for websites, allowing users to find specific pages amongst billions.
  • In databases, unique identifiers are used to ensure that each record can be retrieved without confusion.

Psychology

  • Identifiers can influence how we perceive and interact with others, often affecting our judgments and decisions.
  • Research shows that names can impact personal and professional outcomes, influencing hiring decisions and social interactions.

Education

  • In academic contexts, identifiers like student IDs help track and manage student records efficiently.
  • Common core standards use identifiers for key concepts ensuring clarity in educational objectives.

Legal

  • In the legal realm, identifiers such as Social Security numbers or tax IDs are vital for tracking individuals' records and transactions.
  • Legal identifiers help protect identity theft by ensuring that confidential records are linked to the correct person.

Origin of 'identifiers'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from Latin roots: 'identificare' means to identify, suggesting a connection to recognizing or naming.
  • It first appeared in English in the mid-20th century, originally used in contexts like science and technology.

The term 'identifiers' originated from the Latin word 'identificare', which means 'to make the same'. It has been widely used in various fields such as computer science, psychology, and linguistics to refer to unique names or characteristics that distinguish one entity from another.


See also: identifiable, identification, identifier, identify, identifying, misidentify, unidentified.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,337, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.