YanCLK

YanCLK is a protocol and software library for synchronizing clocks and ordering events in distributed systems. It uses a hybrid clock model that combines physical time with a small logical component to provide a monotonic, reproducible timestamp with low overhead. The goal is portability and a simple API so applications can obtain timestamps and annotate messages consistently across nodes.

Originating in open‑source developer communities in the late 2010s, YanCLK was designed as a lightweight alternative to heavier time‑synchronization stacks. The name reflects its modular, minimalistic approach and broad platform support. The project released a reference protocol and core libraries, with ongoing work to add language bindings and interoperability features.

Architecture and operation: Nodes can run in client–server or peer‑to‑peer modes. Each node maintains a local hybrid clock, updates time via exchange of timestamped messages, and applies drift estimates to align clocks. Applications fetch timestamps, order events, and serialize data using YanCLK‑compatible formats.

Implementations and usage: Reference implementations exist in C and Go, with community bindings for other languages. YanCLK is used in lightweight edge services, real‑time analytics pipelines, and certain distributed databases that require deterministic event ordering without centralized clocks.

Status: YanCLK remains niche and is not an official standard. It sits alongside NTP and PTP and is chosen mainly for portability and simplicity in experimental or open‑source contexts. Development continues through community contributions and academic discussion.