idintervallum

Idintervallum is a term used in some computer science and data-management contexts to denote a consecutive range of identifiers (IDs) within a namespace. The word combines a Latin-like root intervallum, meaning interval, with a reference to identity identifiers (id). It is not a universally standardized term, and its exact definition can vary by domain.

In common usage, an idintervallum is a closed interval [a, b] of IDs, where every ID x with a ≤ x ≤ b belongs to the interval. For numeric IDs this follows numerical order; for alphanumeric IDs, a defined ordering or padding rule is used. If IDs are not naturally numeric, the interval is defined by a consistent, domain-specific ordering.

Applications of idintervallum include database partitioning, batch processing, and range-based indexing. They enable efficient range queries, parallel processing, and incremental work by operating on contiguous blocks of IDs rather than the entire ID space. This can simplify workload distribution and improve cache locality in certain systems.

Practical considerations include the impact of ID churn and deletions, which can introduce gaps and affect assumptions about contiguity. Some systems address this with prefix-based intervals, logical (virtual) intervals, or periodic reindexing. Representations may use inclusive lower and upper bounds, or an inclusive lower bound with an exclusive upper bound, depending on implementation.

Related concepts include numeric and lexicographic intervals and interval trees. In documentation and implementation, idintervallum is typically described alongside range queries, ID space management, and data partitioning strategies.