HL3a9f7

HL3a9f7 is an alphanumeric identifier used within the HL cataloging system to reference a discrete item, record, or dataset. It functions as a stable key in databases and APIs, allowing metadata retrieval independent of the item’s descriptive fields. The code is not intended to encode its properties; rather, it serves as a persistent reference.

Format and construction: The identifier begins with the two-letter prefix HL, followed by a version or subcategory digit "3" and a hexadecimal suffix "a9f7". The suffix uses characters 0-9 and a-f, and is often treated as case-insensitive in some implementations, though some systems enforce case sensitivity. In practice, this structure supports compact encoding of an internal numeric value or hash.

Applications: HL3a9f7 appears in export datasets, catalog pages, API query parameters, and data pipelines within the HL framework. When used in URLs, it typically appears as a parameter or path segment that resolves to a metadata record containing provenance, access restrictions, and linkage to related items.

Governance and lifecycle: Identifiers are assigned by the HL registry upon item creation. They are designed to be immutable and unique within the system; metadata updates do not modify the identifier. However, items may be decommissioned, merged, or split, with the corresponding changes reflected in the item’s record rather than the identifier itself.

Related concepts: persistent identifiers, canonical forms, and namespace-aware cataloging systems.