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ISCC - Software Development Kit#

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iscc-sdk is a Python development kit for creating and managing ISCC (International Standard Content Code)

What is an ISCC#

The ISCC is a similarity preserving identifier for digital media assets.

ISCCs are generated algorithmically from digital content, just like cryptographic hashes. However, instead of using a single cryptographic hash function to identify data only, the ISCC uses various algorithms to create a composite identifier that exhibits similarity-preserving properties (soft hash).

The component-based structure of the ISCC identifies content at multiple levels of abstraction. Each component is self-describing, modular, and can be used separately or with others to aid in various content identification tasks. The algorithmic design supports content deduplication, database synchronization, indexing, integrity verification, timestamping, versioning, data provenance, similarity clustering, anomaly detection, usage tracking, allocation of royalties, fact-checking and general digital asset management use-cases.

What is iscc-sdk#

iscc-sdk is built on top of iscc-core and adds high level features for generating and handling ISCC codes for all the different mediatypes:

  • mediatype detection
  • metadata extraction and embedding
  • mediatype specific content extraction and pre-processing
  • iscc indexing and search

Requirements#

Python 3.8 to 3.11 on 64-bit systems

Installation#

Use the Python package manager pip to install iscc-sdk.

pip install iscc-sdk

Getting Started#

Create an ISCC-CODE for a media file:

import iscc_sdk as idk

print(idk.code_iscc("/path/to/mediafile.jpg"))

Using the CLI tool to create an ISCC-CODE

idk create /path/to/mediafile.jpg

Batch creation of ISCC-CODEs

idk batch /folder_with_media_files

Documentation#

https://sdk.iscc.codes

Troubleshooting#

On Linux and MacOS you might need to install taglib as a prerequisite. On Ubuntu, Mint and other Debian-Based distributions do:

sudo apt install libtag1-dev

On a Mac, use HomeBrew:

brew install taglib

Project Status#

The ISCC has been accepted by ISO as full work item ISO/AWI 24138 - International Standard Content Code and is currently being standardized at TC 46/SC 9/WG 18. https://www.iso.org/standard/77899.html

Attention

The iscc-sdk library and the accompanying documentation is under development. API changes and other backward incompatible changes are to be expected until the upcoming v1.5 stable release.

Maintainers#

@titusz

Contributing#

Pull requests are welcome. For significant changes, please open an issue first to discuss your plans. Please make sure to update tests as appropriate.

You may also want join our developer chat on Telegram at https://t.me/iscc_dev.