dataputken

Dataputken is a term used in some data-management communities to denote a standardized unit of data write that bundles a payload with metadata and provenance information. In practice, a dataputken is stored as an immutable record in distributed storage to support traceability and reproducibility.

A dataputken comprises four elements: the data payload itself, metadata (including source, timestamp, schema, and version), a unique identifier, and a cryptographic signature. These components enable data producers to prove authorship, preserve integrity, and trace changes across systems, independent of the storage layer.

The typical workflow involves creating the dataputken at the point of data generation, signing it with a private key, validating the signature, routing it to one or more storage backends, and providing a retrieval path that allows verification of the signature and provenance.

Dataputken is used to improve data governance and auditability in environments that require strict lineage, such as regulated industries, data marketplaces, and large-scale analytics platforms. It complements existing formats and storage architectures by formalizing the write event as a first-class, verifiable unit.

Related concepts include data provenance, event sourcing, and write-ahead logging. Challenges include achieving cross-organizational trust, standardizing schemas for metadata, key management, and minimizing storage overhead while maintaining performance and interoperability.