Identifier

About Identifiers

In archival software, an "identifier" is a unique alpha-numeric name for the object that you are describing. It allows us to unambiguously identify a particular item within WCHO. Each photograph or document gets ONE UNIQUE identifier. The software will not allow you to re-use an identifier that has already been used. Normally, each object gets an identifier that is made up of a prefix + a sequential number, for example:

PUApic_08943

BHSpic_112

How to Assign an Identifier

• Normally, the Identifier for your item in WCHO will match the item's filename. For example, if the filename of the image that you are uploading is: PUA_MS23_001.jpg, then the Identifier would be PUA_MS23_001. We do this so that we can easily match up digital files with their descriptions. It is important to follow the rules for naming your files.
• An Identifier refers to the 'whole object' that you are describing in your record. For example, if you are describing a postcard that has a front and a back side that you have scanned, the identifier refers to the WHOLE POSTCARD, not just the front side of the postcard. Even though you will have slightly different file names for each file, you should only have one identifier for the whole object. Don't make separate identifiers for the front/back/etc. of a single object.

Example of case where one object has two files: a postcard with a front and back that have been scanned

Postcard front filename = PUApic_003456.jpg

Postcard back filename = PUApic_003456b.jpg (notice: it's the same as the front, but with 'b' on the end)

Identifier for the postcard = PUApic_003456 (notice: it matches the file for the front of the postcard)

• If you are dealing with a single item that has multiple files associated with it:
  • Use the name of the most significant file as the identifier.
  • Normally, all of the filenames for the same object should be nearly identical except for an appended letter on the end or a different file extension; see the rules for naming your files.