!!! Overview [{$pagename}] is a [thing] with distinct and independent existence such as a [Natural Person], [Organization], concept, or [device]. You will undoubtedly find many definitions for [{$pagename}]. [{$applicationname}] has tried to put some we have discovered and are appropriate for our [context] [{$pagename}] may also have a [Digital Identity], [Application], [data], etc. [{$pagename}] is a [resource] of any kind that can be uniquely and independently identified. [{$pagename}] is something that exists as itself, as a subject or as an object, actually or potentially, concretely or abstractly, physically or not. An [{$pagename}] need not be of material existence. In particular, abstractions and [Legal Fictions] are usually regarded as entities. In general, there is also no presumption that an [{$pagename}] is animate, or present.[1] [{$pagename}] will have some type of [Identifier] The [National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace] ([NSTIC]) defines some terms similar to those defined here: * "An individual is a person engaged in an online transaction. Individuals are the first priority of the Strategy." * "A [non-person entity] ([NPE]) may also require [authentication] in the [Identity Ecosystem]. [NPEs] can be organizations, hardware, networks, software, or services and are treated much like individuals within the Identity Ecosystem. NPEs may engage in or support a transaction." * "The subject of a transaction may be an individual or an [NPE]." Some examples: * [People|Personal Entity] * [Services|Non-person entity] * [non-person entity] * [Organizational Entity] ** [Government Entity] ** [Business Entity] ** [Non-Governmental Entities|Non-Governmental Entity] ([NGO]) [{$pagename}] is defined in [ISO 29115] as "Something that has separate and distinct existence and that can be identified in a [Context]" !! [Domain-Driven Design] [{$pagename}] is an object that is not defined by its [attributes], but rather by a thread of continuity and its identity. [Domain-Driven Design] [{$pagename}] [Example]: * Most [airlines] distinguish each seat uniquely on every flight. Each seat is an [{$pagename}] in this [Context]. * However, Southwest Airlines, EasyJet and Ryanair do not distinguish between every seat; all seats are the same. In this [Context], a seat is actually a [Value Object]. !! More Information There might be more information for this subject on one of the following: [{ReferringPagesPlugin before='*' after='\n' }] ---- * [#1] - [Entity|Wikipedia:Entity|target='_blank'] - based on 2013-04-10