ZOM tags each object with a unique key called the object key. The ObjectKey uniquely identifies an object, even in computing environments where the development tools are not live-linked by means of a network.

Some characteristics of the ObjectKey are as follows:

• ObjectKeys are hidden from the user.

• ObjectKeys are automatically generated by the tools when an object is created. Once an object is created, it keeps the same key for its entire existence.

• When an object is destroyed, its ObjectKey is never re-used.

• ObjectKeys have no semantic content. They describe nothing at all about the object they point to, but instead serve only as a unique identifying string.

• If the same object exists in more than one tool or environment, its ObjectKey is the same value in all tools that manipulate or reference the object.