PostingDatum

PostingDatum is a data representation used in content publishing systems to encapsulate the content and metadata of a single user-generated post. It is designed as a lightweight, serializable object that can be stored, transmitted, and indexed across different layers of a web application.

Core fields typically include a unique identifier, the author’s user or account id, a timestamp for when the post was published, and the main textual content. Additional fields may cover language, an optional edited timestamp, an edit count, and a status or visibility setting such as public, private, or restricted. Most implementations also track engagement metrics like likeCount, commentCount, and shareCount, along with flags such as isPinned or isFlagged. Attachments, such as images or files, are commonly represented as a list of objects containing type, url, name, and size. Optional threading information may reference a parent post or a thread id to enable replies and conversation history.

Beyond the core payload, a PostingDatum often carries moderation and security metadata, including content filters, moderationState, and privacy controls. It may also include provenance information like source platform, device, or session id for auditing.

Storage and usage generally treat a PostingDatum as a data transfer object or domain model that can be serialized to JSON and persisted in document stores or relational databases. It is designed for indexing by author, timestamp, and visibility, and for retrieval by APIs, search services, and moderation pipelines. Names and field sets vary across platforms, but the concept remains a portable representation of a single post and its associated metadata.