A digital object identifier (DOI) is a unique alphanumeric string assigned to a digital object to provide a persistent link to its location on the internet. It functions as a reliable identifier for various types of resources, such as academic articles, reports, datasets, books, and multimedia files. The primary purpose of a DOI is to ensure the long-term accessibility and citability of digital content.
DOIs consist of two main components: a prefix and a suffix. The prefix denotes the organization or publisher responsible for registering the DOI and is typically a string of numbers, letters, or a combination of both. The suffix usually represents the specific digital object and may include additional characters to make the identifier unique.
Once a DOI is assigned to a digital object, it serves as a permanent identifier, meaning the object can be located and accessed on the internet even if its URL changes over time. DOIs are widely used by scholarly publishing platforms and repositories to facilitate persistent linking and citation tracking. Additionally, DOIs often incorporate metadata, such as authors, publication date, and titles, to provide detailed information about the digital object.
Researchers, publishers, and information seekers rely on DOIs to quickly and accurately locate and reference digital content. By using DOIs, users can easily access and cite scholarly resources, ensuring the integrity, traceability, and credibility of the information exchanged within the academic and research community.
