GUID A globally unique identifier (GUID, /ud/ or /wd/) is a unique reference number used as an identifier in computer software.

The term GUID also is used for Microsoft's implementation of the Universally unique identifier (UUID) standard. It is commonly known as a "GOOEY ID" in Call of Duty 4 game servers. The value of a GUID is represented as a 32-character hexadecimal string, such as {21EC2020-3AEA1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}, and is usually stored as a 128-bit integer. The total number of unique keys is 2 128 or 3.41038. This number is so large that the probability of the same number being generated randomly twice is negligible. Still, certain techniques have been developed to help ensure that GUID numbers are not duplicated . Common uses Uses In the Windows registry, in the key sequence "My Computer\HKEY_Classes_Root\CLSID", the DAO database management system identifies the particular version and type of accessing module of DAO to be used by a group of about a dozen GUIDs that begin with 5 zeros, a three-digit identifier for that particular version and type, with the remainder of the GUID ending in the same value in each case, 0000-0010-8000-00AA006D2EA4, so that the set of GUIDs used by this database system runs from {00000010-0000-0010-8000-00AA006D2EA4} through {00000109-0000-0010-8000-00AA006D2EA4} although not all GUIDs in that range are used. In the Microsoft Component Object Model (COM), GUIDs are used to uniquely distinguish different software component interfaces. This means that two (possibly incompatible) versions of a component can have exactly the same name but still be distinguishable by their GUIDs. For example, in the creation of components for Microsoft Windows using COM, all components must implement the IUnknown interface to allow client code to find all other interfaces and features of that component, and they do this by creating a GUID which may be called upon to provide an entry point. The IUnknown interface is defined as a GUID with the value of {00000000-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}, and rather than having a named entry point called "IUnknown", the preceding GUID is used, thus every component that provides an IUnknown entry point gives the same GUID, and every program that looks for an IUnknown interface in a component always uses that GUID to find the entry point, knowing that an application using that particular GUID must always consistently implement IUnknown in the same manner and the same way. GUIDs are also inserted into documents from Microsoft Office programs. Even audio or video streams in the Advanced Systems Format (ASF) are identified by their GUIDs. GUIDs representation can be little endian or big endian, so all APIs need to ensure that the correct data structure is used. Microsoft Windows uses GUIDs internally to identify the classes and interfaces of COM objects. A script can activate a specific class or object without having to know the name or location of the dynamic linked library that contains it. Intel's GUID Partition Table, a system for partitioning hard drives. ActiveX, a system for downloading and installing controls in a web browser, uses GUIDs to uniquely identify each control. Second Life uses GUIDs for identification of all assets in its world.