What is defined as a functional need that must be present in a digital preservation system?

In the context of a digital preservation system, a requirement is a critical functional need that must be fulfilled to ensure the system operates effectively and can meet its preservation goals. Requirements are specific conditions or capabilities that the system must satisfy to maintain the integrity, accessibility, and usability of digital objects over time.

This concept encompasses a variety of criteria, such as compliance with standards, the ability to handle specific file formats, or the necessity of metadata management. By identifying and documenting these requirements, digital archivists can ensure that the preservation system is appropriately designed and implemented to safeguard digital assets.

Other terms in the options refer to different aspects of project management and design. Specification typically relates to the detailed description of the requirements or conditions needed in a project but does not itself denote a functional need. A wireframe is a visual representation of a user interface that outlines the structure of a web page or interface but does not speak to functional capabilities of a preservation system. Emulation refers to the technique of replicating the behavior of a system or software, which is a method used within digital preservation but not itself a functional need of the preservation system.