FAIRsharing record for: FAIR Principles for Research Software - I2. Software includes qualified references to other objects

This FAIRsharing record describes: 'I2. Software includes qualified references to other objects' states that some software includes references to external data objects required to execute the software (e.g., parameter files for certain applications). Ideally, the data would be FAIR as well, and references to external data would be fully qualified. Qualified references should be to digital objects (e.g., metadata, other software, data), as well as to non-digital objects that have a virtual presence in digital systems (e.g., samples, reagents, instruments, etc.) with which the software interacts. These qualified references should be described using identifiers and/or controlled vocabularies. “Qualified” means specifying the authoritative source for an identifier or vocabulary item, possibly including a resolvable reference to further information about the source. Ideally this is in a form that includes a resolver within the reference (e.g., in the form of a persistent identifier, or URL). This information can also improve the reusability of software by explicitly including references to articles and data sets that document its use. Examples of qualified references might include: software X is implemented using software A (a programming language); software X uses software B (a library/dependency); software X is tested within software C (a platform); software X extends software D.