Fingerprint databases for theorems

TL;DR

This paper advocates for the development of searchable, collaborative databases of mathematical results using unique 'fingerprints' to improve knowledge sharing, discovery, and peer review across disciplines.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of fingerprint-based databases for mathematical results and discusses their potential benefits for research and collaboration.

Findings

Enhances discovery of mathematical results

Facilitates cross-disciplinary connections

Improves peer review process

Abstract

We discuss the advantages of searchable, collaborative, language-independent databases of mathematical results, indexed by "fingerprints" of small and canonical data. Our motivating example is Neil Sloane's massively influential On-Line Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences. We hope to encourage the greater mathematical community to search for the appropriate fingerprints within each discipline, and to compile fingerprint databases of results wherever possible. The benefits of these databases are broad - advancing the state of knowledge, enhancing experimental mathematics, enabling researchers to discover unexpected connections between areas, and even improving the refereeing process for journal publication.