# TBD Developer Docs: Glossary

## Centralized Authority
A single entity or organization that has control over the network and its operations, potentially posing a risk to the principles of decentralization and autonomy.

## Decentralized Identifier (DID)
A Decentralized Identifier (DID) is a globally unique identifier that enabled verifiable, decentralized digital identity, without the need for centralized intermediaries. DIDs are typically implemented using decentralized and distributed ledger technologies, such as blockchain, and provide a way to verify and authenticate digital identities, while ensuring privacy and control over personal data.

## Decentralized Web Node (DWN)
A Decentralized Web Node is a personal data store in a decentralized network that stores and shares information, serves as a communication channel, and executes transactions in a distributed manner, without relying on a centralized server, thereby enhancing security, privacy, and resilience of the network.

## DID Document
A JSON document containing details about a DID, including the DID itself, represented by an `id` field, as well as other data related to the verification and authentication methods of the DID.

## DID Method
A specific scheme for creating, resolving, updating, and deactivating DIDs and their associated documents, as outlined in a DID method specification which provides detailed instructions on these operations.

### DID Method - ION
The `did:ion:` method leverages the scalability and security of the Bitcoin blockchain by using off-chain transactions to create and update DIDs, while utilizing on-chain transactions for anchoring and providing proof of the DID's existence and integrity. The `did:ion:` method aims to provide a secure, scalable, and decentralized solution for managing digital identities that is interoperable with other decentralized identity solutions.

### DID Method - Key
The `did:key:` method is a simple, lightweight way to create a DID. It is based on a public key, and it is self-contained, meaning it does not rely on any external blockchain or registry. This makes `did:key` a convenient method for use cases that don't require the complexity and additional features provided by other DID methods.

### DID Method - Web
The `did:web:` method is a type of Decentralized Identifier (DID) method that enables the creation of DIDs using a web domain name as the unique identifier, allowing for DIDs to be created and managed using existing web infrastructure and technologies, without requiring a specific blockchain or distributed ledger. The method utilizes HTTP(S) URLs to resolve DIDs and provides a flexible and decentralized way to manage digital identities on the web. However, the security and privacy of the `did:web:` method may depend on the web domain provider and the associated security measures in place.

## Key Store
A digital storage system that securely stores and manages a DID's cryptographic keys and key material, which is used for security protocols such as digital signing and verification.

## Signature Algorithm

A mathematical algorithm used to generate digital signatures. These are used to verify the authenticity, integrity, and non-repudiation of electronic documents, messages, or transactions by creating a unique digital signature that can be cryptographically validated.

## Sidetree Protocol
The Sidetree protocol is a decentralized and blockchain-agnostic protocol that enables the creation and management of decentralized identifiers (DIDs) and their associated data off-chain, while utilizing the blockchain as a trust anchor for anchoring DID operations, thereby reducing the load on the blockchain and enhancing scalability.