What is the primary or secondary identifier?
What is the Primary or Secondary Identifier? A Guide to Understanding Their Importance
Understanding Identifiers: Primary vs. Secondary
When working with databases, software, or even social media, you've probably come across the terms "primary identifier" and "secondary identifier." But what do they actually mean? Are they interchangeable, or do they serve distinct purposes? In this article, we'll break down these concepts and explore how they affect data organization, access, and security.
Primary vs. Secondary: The Basics
At its core, an identifier is any value that uniquely identifies an object or entity within a system. It could be something as simple as a username, email address, or ID number. Primary identifiers are used as the main reference point for an entity, while secondary identifiers provide additional context or options for identifying that entity.
I remember talking with a friend, Mike, who works in data security, about how these identifiers are crucial in structuring systems. He explained to me that primary identifiers are like a "passport" that can uniquely identify someone, while secondary identifiers are more like "extra details" that can help verify the identity in different situations.
1. The Primary Identifier: The Key to Uniqueness
What Makes an Identifier "Primary"?
A primary identifier is a unique identifier used to distinguish an entity from all others in a system. For example, in a database, a user ID is often the primary identifier because it is unique to each person and is used to track all actions and data related to that person.
Examples of Primary Identifiers
Social Security Number (SSN): In the U.S., this number is unique to each individual and is used to track earnings, taxes, and other personal information.
Email address: For online accounts, your email address is often your primary identifier because it is unique and used for login and communication purposes.
Employee ID: In a company, this ID is assigned to each employee to uniquely identify them within the system.
Without a primary identifier, a system would struggle to differentiate between entities, leading to confusion and errors. I remember when I was setting up my first online account, and it asked for my email as the primary identifier. I thought, "Ah, that's easy! It's unique to me." That's the beauty of a well-chosen primary identifier.
2. The Secondary Identifier: Extra Layer of Security and Flexibility
What is a Secondary Identifier?
A secondary identifier complements the primary one by providing additional ways to identify or verify an entity. These identifiers are useful for added security, cross-referencing, or offering users multiple ways to interact with a system.
Examples of Secondary Identifiers
Phone number: While your primary identifier might be your email, your phone number can act as a secondary identifier for account recovery or two-factor authentication.
Username: In some systems, your username serves as a secondary identifier alongside your email, providing flexibility in accessing your account.
Date of birth: Often used as a secondary identifier for verifying your identity, especially in legal or financial contexts.
I once ran into a situation where I lost access to my email account. Thankfully, the system had my phone number listed as a secondary identifier. It allowed me to reset my password and regain access—proof that secondary identifiers are often lifesavers.
3. Why Are Both Primary and Secondary Identifiers Important?
Enhancing Security and Reducing Errors
Having both primary and secondary identifiers helps protect your data and ensures accuracy. For example, if someone tries to impersonate you using a primary identifier alone, secondary identifiers provide an extra layer of verification. They act as backup keys to verify someone's identity, which is why two-factor authentication (2FA) has become so widespread.
Flexibility in System Management
From a technical perspective, systems often require primary identifiers to link different pieces of data (like transactions, user preferences, or history). Secondary identifiers offer flexibility by allowing systems to cross-check data points, making it easier to manage complex data structures.
In one of my own projects, I had to integrate user data across multiple systems. We used the email as the primary identifier and phone number as the secondary. This made our system more robust and flexible. If the email changed, we could still track the user through the phone number.
4. When to Use Primary and Secondary Identifiers
When to Rely on Primary Identifiers
Primary identifiers should always be used for the most important functions in a system—things like logging in, accessing account details, or conducting transactions. They should be unique, consistent, and, ideally, unchangeable.
When to Use Secondary Identifiers
Secondary identifiers come into play when there's a need for verification, recovery, or added flexibility. You might use them for password resets, multi-factor authentication, or when users have the option to log in via different methods (e.g., email or phone number).
Conclusion: The Power of Primary and Secondary Identifiers
Understanding the role of primary and secondary identifiers is crucial for anyone involved in system design, data security, or user management. The primary identifier serves as the cornerstone of identity verification, while secondary identifiers offer flexibility, added security, and backup options.
By leveraging both types of identifiers, systems can be more secure, user-friendly, and accurate. Whether you're setting up a new account, managing a database, or working on a project, knowing how to properly use primary and secondary identifiers can make all the difference.
Have you experienced any challenges with identifiers in your own work? Feel free to share your thoughts!
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Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
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Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.