Introduction
UUID and GUID are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences in terminology and usage.
What is a GUID?
GUID stands for Globally Unique Identifier. It's Microsoft's term for what the rest of the world calls UUID.
Key Differences
- Terminology: GUID is Microsoft-specific, UUID is the standard term
- Format: Both use the same 128-bit format
- Compatibility: GUIDs are UUIDs, just with different naming
When to Use Each Term
- Use UUID in Unix/Linux, web development, and cross-platform contexts
- Use GUID in Microsoft Windows environments and .NET applications
Conclusion
UUID and GUID are essentially the same thing - just different names for the same identifier format.