a service or resource we want to use, eg
a filename, a telecommunications provider, a person
Allow Sharing
Communicating processes can pass names and thus
share resources
Location Independence
If we separate the name from the address,
can migrate object transparently
Security
If large number of possible names, knowing the name of
the object means that it must explicitly have been passed. If
entire system constructed so that names are passed with
authorisation then knowing name means chain of trust to allow
access to object.
