PropNameID

PropNameID is a conceptual identifier used to refer to the name of a property within a data model, schema, or metadata system. It is distinct from the property's value, type, or semantics, and serves as a stable reference that maps a human-readable name to a machine-facing identifier.

Representations of PropNameID vary by system. Common forms include string-based qualified names that combine a namespace with a local name (for example, ns:propName) to avoid collisions. Some implementations use numeric identifiers issued by a central registry, enabling compact encoding in serialized data. Others employ composite keys or hash-based IDs to balance readability with efficiency.

The primary purposes of PropNameID are stability, efficiency, and evolution. By encoding property names as IDs rather than raw strings, systems can support versioning and schema evolution without breaking references. PropNameID also reduces string duplication, supports quick lookups, and allows localization or aliasing of property names without altering the underlying identifier.

Typical usage scenarios include data interchange formats, configuration files, and APIs where properties are accessed by name, as well as graph databases and metadata catalogs that rely on consistent property references across components. Management concerns center on registry governance, namespace administration, and change policy; mappings between PropNameID and display names or semantics should be versioned and migratable.

Example: a numeric ID such as 1023 might reference the property name "createdAt" within a given namespace, while a string form like ns:createdAt provides readability and explicit scoping.