UUID

Universally Unique Identifier

A 128-bit number used to identify information in computer systems uniquely. The primary purpose of a UUID is to enable distributed systems to identify information without significant central coordination uniquely. In essence, UUIDs are designed to be unique across time and space. Key characteristics of UUIDs include:

1. Size and Structure: A UUID is a 36-character string (including four hyphens) typically expressed in hexadecimal digits. It’s often displayed in the form 8-4-4-4-12, for a total of 32 alphanumeric characters. For example: 123e4567-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174000.
2. Uniqueness: The main advantage of using UUIDs is their uniqueness. The algorithm for generating a UUID is designed so that the chance of the same UUID being generated twice is extremely low.
3. No Central Registry: Unlike some other identification systems, UUIDs do not require a central registry to ensure their uniqueness. They can be generated anywhere and by anyone without the risk of duplication.
4. Versatility: UUIDs are used in various applications and systems. Common uses include identifying records in databases, ensuring uniqueness in distributed systems, and as part of software applications for various purposes, including transaction handling and identifying objects and sessions.
5. Types: There are different versions of UUIDs, each with specific methods of generation. For example, Version 1 UUIDs are generated from a computer’s MAC address and a timestamp, while Version 4 UUIDs are randomly generated.

In sales and marketing, UUIDs can be particularly useful in digital environments for tracking user interactions, sessions, and unique transactions. They ensure that each element, user, session, or transaction can be uniquely and reliably identified across systems and over time, which is vital for data analysis, customer relationship management, and personalized marketing strategies.

• Abbreviation: UUID