====== Decentralized IDentifier (DID) ======
[[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:start| Return to Glossary ]]

**Decentralized IDentifier (DID)** is a globally unique persistent identifier that does not require a centralized registration authority and is often generated and/or registered cryptographically. The generic format of a DID is defined in § 3.1 DID Syntax. A specific DID scheme is defined in a DID method specification. Many—but not all—DID methods make use of distributed ledger technology (DLT) or some other form of decentralized network. 

A DID is a simple text string consisting of three parts:
  - the **''did''** [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:u:url]] / [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:u:uri]] scheme identifier (i.e., [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:h:http]], [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:f:ftp]], [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:i:ipfs]], mailto, etc.). 
      : **Note:** See: [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:i:iana]] [[https://www.iana.org/assignments/uri-schemes/uri-schemes.xhtml]]
  - the identifier for the DID method
  - the DID method-specific identifier. 

<figure didschematic>
{{  :dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:d:screen_shot_2022-01-24_at_2.16.42_pm.png?500  |}}
<caption>A simple example of a decentralized identifier (DID) (Derived from the W3C)</caption>
</figure>

See: 
  * [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.b_stds:tech:w3c:dids]]
  * [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.b_stds:tech:ietf:7595]]

Source: [[https://www.w3.org/TR/did-core/ ]]


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