Logical Data Modeling - Global Identifier (Fully Qualified Name, Canonical Form)

About

A global identifier identify uniquely a primary element (entity or relationship) in the global scope

It's also generally known as:

The Gold Modeling Rule

Every entity should have a non-null identifier.

Why ? Just because if any error happens when processing its properties, you should be able to report it unambiguously.

If you don't have one, generate one.

A fully qualified identifier is composed of:

the unique entity attribute called the primary key where:
- the numeric attribute is called an id
- the textual attribute is called a name
and its namespace

<MATH> \Large GlobalIdentity = NameSpace + PrimaryKey </MATH>

The identifier describes the identity of an entity.

If there is no namespace functionality in the system, you will get this formula <MATH> \Large id+entity = identity </MATH>