Beta16linked

Beta16linked is a compact binary format and protocol for representing and traversing labeled directed graphs, designed to operate efficiently on memory-constrained hardware and in streaming contexts. It encodes graphs as a sequence of blocks that can be appended or streamed, enabling provenance tracking, sensor networks, and lightweight data interchange in beta software environments.

In beta16linked, a graph comprises nodes and edges. Each node has a 16-bit identifier and an optional payload. Edges connect a source node to a target node with a small label code. The encoding uses a compact header with version and graph identifier, followed by a dense array of node entries and a separate edge table. The edge table references endpoints with 16-bit indices and uses an 8- or 16-bit label code, supporting fast traversal and low memory overhead. The format supports streaming decoding, incremental updates, and basic integrity checks.

Beta16linked originated within the Beta16 project, an open-source effort focused on compact data representations for embedded and edge computing. It has been used in domains such as sensor networks, lightweight provenance systems, and small graph databases where bandwidth and memory are at a premium. Libraries exist in multiple languages to encode, decode, and validate beta16linked graphs, along with tooling for testing and visualization.

Limitations include the 16-bit address space, restricting graphs to 65,536 nodes per instance unless extended variants are introduced. Interoperability considerations mean beta16linked is often best suited for internal use or controlled exchanges between compatible systems.

See also: linked data, graph databases, RDF, Protobuf, CBOR.