---
title: "system.historian"
---

# system.historian

> The following functions give you access to interact with the Historian system.

## Historian Functions

### Path Syntax

The historian system functions all include a `path` or `source` parameter of some form. It is recommended to use a qualified historical path syntax that includes `sys` and `prov` to identify the Gateway and Tag Provider name, respectively. For example, the following path identifiers would result in the Historical Path Example below:

* The name of the Historian Provider: Sample_DB
* The Gateway name: myGateway
* The Tag Provider name: myProvider
* The tag folder path: Folder/New_Folder

```python title="Historical Path Example"
histprov:Sample_DB:/sys:myGateway:/prov:myProvider:/tag:Folder/New_Folder
```
Note that this format will not work for the SQL Historian, as this historian requires the `drv` key-value pair to be used. Additionally, any `drv` syntax used in Ignition 8.1 will still work in 8.3. 

```python title="SQL Historian Historical Path Example"
histprov:Sample_DB:/drv:myGateway:myProvider:/tag:Folder/New_Folder
```

### Functions by Scope