databundels

Databundels are self-contained collections of data assets packaged for use by software components. They are designed to decouple data from executable code, enabling easier distribution, versioning, and offline access. A databundel can be a single file or a directory that includes data files, resources, and accompanying metadata.

Typical contents include data files (such as images, configuration files, or model weights), a manifest describing the bundle’s contents, version information, licensing notes, and checksums or digital signatures to verify integrity. Bundles may organize assets into subfolders and may employ compression or encryption to reduce size or protect sensitive material.

Databundels are loaded by an application at runtime, often with tooling that locates the bundle, validates the manifest and integrity checks, and then provides APIs to access the resources. They support lazy loading to minimize memory usage and can be updated independently of the application binary in some environments.

Usage spans mobile apps, desktop software, games, and data-driven workloads such as offline datasets or model weights. They are distinct from databases or simple archives in that they provide structured, versioned data resources intended for runtime consumption rather than transactional querying. Best practices include including a clear manifest, versioning, licensing information, integrity checks, and appropriate security measures.