alpha16linked

alpha16linked is a lightweight data-linking protocol and library for verifiable ordering and integrity of appended data blocks. It is associated with the Alpha16 project and is intended for streaming, logging, and event-sourcing contexts where compact verification matters. The core idea is to attach each data block to the previous one with a 16-bit linkage value that serves as a simple, checkable sequence label.

Technical overview: Each block stores a payload, a hash of the previous block, and a 16-bit alpha linkage field that grows with each append. Validation checks the previous-block hash linkage and ensures the sequence increments modulo 2^16. The library provides append functionality, chain validation, and export of a compact chain digest for audits and rapid synchronization. Metadata is kept small to favor performance in constrained environments.

Applications include telemetry streams, event-sourced logs, and audit trails where a light-weight tamper-evident history is useful. It is often positioned as a middle ground between simple hash chains and full blockchain systems, offering quick verification with modest overhead.

Limitations: The 16-bit linkage wraps after 65,536 blocks, which can complicate very long histories. alpha16linked does not replace strong consensus mechanisms or high-security controls. In safety-critical or adversarial settings, it should be combined with additional cryptographic or governance measures.

See also: append-only log, hash chain, Merkle tree, event sourcing, blockchain, data integrity.